The Punjab and Haryana High Court has rejected the regular bail plea of suspended Punjab Police Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Harcharan Singh Bhullar, holding that the seriousness of the corruption and bribery charges warranted his continued custody. The 2007-batch IPS officer is currently lodged in Chandigarh Model Jail in connection with a high-profile Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) case.
Bhullar had approached the High Court on January 9 seeking regular bail, arguing that the prosecution’s witnesses were primarily serving officials and the complainant, and that he had already been suspended from service, eliminating any possibility of influencing the investigation. He also contended that the probe had been completed and the final report filed in December last year, making further custodial interrogation unnecessary.
Certified Cyber Crime Investigator Course Launched by Centre for Police Technology
The defence maintained that the alleged trap related to a co-accused and that there was no direct recovery or acceptance of bribe money from Bhullar himself. It further pointed out that the complainant had been granted protection under court orders, reducing concerns of intimidation or tampering with evidence.
However, the High Court rejected these submissions, observing that the nature and gravity of the allegations required that Bhullar remain in judicial custody while the trial process continues. The court noted that earlier, a CBI court had also dismissed both his regular and default bail applications.
Bhullar was arrested by the CBI in October last year in connection with an alleged bribery and corruption case involving illegal payments sought in exchange for favours related to police investigations. During searches at his residence, investigators recovered ₹7 crore in cash along with gold and silver jewellery valued at over ₹2 crore, significantly strengthening the prosecution’s case.
According to the CBI, Bhullar and an alleged middleman were involved in demanding bribes to influence police inquiries. The case triggered major controversy within the Punjab Police and led to his suspension from service.
With the High Court now declining bail, Bhullar will remain in judicial custody as the trial proceeds. Legal observers note that the court’s emphasis on the seriousness of the charges and the scale of the alleged recovery indicates a cautious approach in corruption cases involving senior public officials.
The matter is expected to move forward before the trial court, where evidence will be examined and witnesses recorded. Bhullar retains the option of approaching a higher judicial forum for relief, but for now, his bid for bail has been firmly turned down.
About the author – Ayesha Aayat is a law student and contributor covering cybercrime, online frauds, and digital safety concerns. Her writing aims to raise awareness about evolving cyber threats and legal responses.
