A local CBI court in Punjab has framed charges against terminated Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Harcharan Singh Bhullar and his associate, Krishanu Sharda, in a corruption case registered in October last year.
The FIR was registered against the former top cop on a complaint filed by Akash Batta.
In the complaint, Batta alleged that Bhullar, the then DIG of Ropar Range, had demanded illegal gratification through Sharda, a private intermediary, in exchange for favourable treatment in a case registered at the Sirhind police station.
According to Batta, the money was demanded to ensure that no coercive action was taken against his business.
Following the complaint, the CBI laid a trap, during which Sharda was apprehended while allegedly accepting Rs 5 lakh as part of the demanded bribe from the complainant on October 16, 2025.
Bhullar was detained a day after a chargesheet under Section 193 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) was filed in December.
Counsel appearing for Bhullar said the CBI had no jurisdiction or the power to register the case. However, Public Prosecutor Narender Singh argued in favour of framing charges.
After hearing arguments from both sides, the CBI Special Judge framed charges against both accused under Section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, read with Sections 7 and 12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
Bhullar has denied the charges, saying none of what has been claimed by Batta has transpired, though the trial is set to begin on July 23.
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