Former Punjab Police DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar, who was suspended over his alleged involvement in multiple financial irregularities, has moved a special CBI court seeking discharge from the corruption case registered against him in 2025.
The special CBI court issued a notice to the CBI, directing it to file a reply to his application. In his plea, Bhullar sought discharge from the case, saying that the CBI had no jurisdiction under the law to register an FIR against him.
The application also stated that there was no evidence to establish the alleged demand for or acceptance of a bribe. It further claimed that the report of the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) does not exclusively mention that the voice recording belonged to the suspended DIG.
The FIR against Bhullar was registered on the complaint of Akash Batta, who alleged that Bhullar, then DIG of Ropar Range, had asked him to pay money through a private intermediary, Krishanu Sharda, in return for favourable treatment in an FIR registered at Sirhind Police Station and to ensure that no coercive action was taken against the complainant’s business.
Soon after the complaint, the CBI had laid a trap. Bhullar's alleged aide, Krishanu Sharda, was arrested on October 16, 2025, while allegedly accepting Rs 5 lakh as part of the bribe.
Bhullar was also arrested the same day, and a chargesheet under Section 193 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) was filed on December 3, 2025.
Earlier, on June 6, the special CBI court in Chandigarh rejected Bhullar's plea seeking to declare the prosecution sanction granted by the Ministry of Home Affairs invalid and not constitutionally binding on the court.
The matter was listed for hearing on Thursday (July 2) for arguments on framing of charges. Meanwhile, a separate regular bail plea is also pending before the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
Also read: Suspended Punjab DIG Bhullar moves HC seeking bail
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