The Punjab and Haryana High Court denied bail to DIG HS Bhullar in the bribery case, keeping him in custody. In October 2025, the CBI seized Rs.7.5 crore cash and documents of over 50 properties from his Chandigarh residence.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court on denied bail to Harcharan Singh Bhullar, a Punjab-cadre Indian Police Service (IPS) officer who was arrested last year by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in a bribery case.
Justice Sumeet Goel noted that the offense under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act (PC Act), especially when involving an officer of such a high rank, has serious implications for the integrity of the criminal justice system and undermines public trust in law enforcement.
The Court emphasized that Bhullar’s claim of no recovery did not justify his bail application, as the prosecution alleged that the bribe was accepted through an intermediary.
The Court stated,
“Having regard to… the prima facie material collected during verification, trap laid by the police, the role attributed to the petitioner through an intermediary, the stage of the proceedings, the vulnerability of material witnesses, the continuing investigation under Section 193(9) BNSS and the potential influencing of the witnesses owing to the position of the petitioner, this Court is of the considered view that the petitioner does not deserve the concession of regular bail,”
In October 2025, CBI seized Rs.7.5 crore in cash, as well as documents related to over 50 immovable properties and other items from Bhullar’s residence in Chandigarh.
He was reportedly caught asking for and accepting a bribe of Rs.8 lakh from a businessman through his associate, Krishanu Sharda, to settle an FIR and prevent further police action against his business.
During the trap process, a controlled call was allegedly made to Bhullar, during which he purportedly acknowledged the payment and instructed the middleman and complainant to visit his office. Sharda was later apprehended while allegedly receiving Rs.5 lakh as part of the bribe demand, leading to Bhullar’s arrest.
A chargesheet has been filed against him in a Chandigarh court, and he has since been suspended from his position.
In its bail ruling, the High Court observed that the recorded conversations, verification report, and trap proceedings prima facie indicate a demand for illegal gratification and that part of the bribe was collected through the co-accused.
The Bench stated,
“At this stage, this material cannot be ignored or brushed aside,”
The Court also pointed out that charges have not yet been framed and that key witnesses have not been examined. Commenting on his potential influence, the Court remarked that someone with decades of experience in a senior police position is likely to have ongoing professional relationships and institutional knowledge, which may impact witnesses and the investigation’s direction.
It added,
“The apprehension expressed by the prosecution and the complainant regarding possible influence cannot be brushed aside lightly, particularly in view of the rank held by the petitioner and the fact that some of the witnesses are police personnel and government officials who had been within his administrative fold,”
However, while denying bail to Bhullar, the Court indicated that he could reapply for regular bail after the examination of the material witnesses.
Senior Advocates Bipin Ghai and Nikhil Ghai represented Bhullar, while Special Public Prosecutors Ravi Kamal Gupta and Akashdeep Singh appeared for the CBI.
Senior Advocate Puja Chopra, alongside Advocates Palak Sharma, Gurminder Singh Salana, and Tapish Gupta, represented the complainant.
Case Title: Harcharan Singh Bhullar v Central Bureau of Investigation