Corruption Case: Supreme Court Calls Former Punjab DIG HS Bhullar's Bail Plea "100% Case For Dismissal"

The Supreme Court has indicated that it does not wish to entertain the bail plea of former Punjab Police DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar, who is accused in a corruption case by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana was hearing Bhullar’s plea challenging a Punjab and Haryana High Court order that denied him regular bail in the case.

Court was informed today that the complainant and a key witness were yet to be examined. The bench, indicated that it would consider the bail plea after certain witnesses had been examined. While adjourning the proceedings, CJI Kant remarked, “100% case of dismissal!"

What is the case against HS Bhullar?

Suspended Punjab Police DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar, who was posted as DIG of the Ropar Range, was arrested by the CBI on October 16, 2025, in an alleged bribery case. The case originated from a complaint by Akash Batta, a scrap/iron trader from Mandi Gobindgarh, who alleged that Bhullar had demanded an ₹8 lakh bribe through an alleged middleman, Krishanu Sharda.

The alleged demand was linked to an FIR registered against Batta in 2023 and the complainant's scrap business.

The CBI arrested Sharda while he was allegedly accepting the ₹8 lakh. Bhullar was subsequently arrested from his office in Mohali. The agency later conducted searches at Bhullar's premises. Searches resulted in the recovery of substantial cash, gold/jewellery, luxury watches and property-related documents.

The investigation subsequently widened beyond the alleged ₹8 lakh bribery transaction. The CBI told a court that electronic devices linked to the alleged middleman contained information concerning a larger network involving police and administrative officers, including alleged dealings relating to transfers, postings, FIRs and arms licences. The agency also investigated alleged benami property investments involving several Punjab IAS and IPS officers.

The CBI also registered a separate disproportionate-assets case against Bhullar following searches at his residence. According to reports, the agency alleged that large amounts of cash, gold and property documents were found during the searches.

Bail proceedings

Bhullar has consistently challenged his continued custody. His defence has argued, among other things, that no bribe money was directly recovered from him, that the CBI had already completed its investigation, and that his continued custodial detention was therefore unnecessary. His lawyers have also raised questions about the circumstances and timing of his formal arrest and production before a magistrate.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court rejected his regular bail plea in February 2026. The Supreme Court subsequently considered his challenge. A February 2026 Supreme Court proceeding records the case as Harcharan Singh Bhullar @ H.S. Bhullar v. Central Bureau of Investigation.