The Supreme Court on Tuesday deferred hearing the second bail petition of suspended Punjab Police Deputy Inspector General Harcharan Singh Bhullar in a corruption case probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation, indicating it would revisit the plea only after crucial prosecution witnesses are examined.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V. Mohana expressed strong reluctance to grant relief during the hearing, observing that the petition was fit for dismissal and asking the petitioner’s counsel whether the court should dismiss it immediately or take it up at a later stage. The bench ultimately adjourned the proceedings for four weeks.
The deferral came after Bhullar’s counsel submitted that while statements of several individuals had been recorded, the complainant and other material witnesses had not yet deposed before the trial court. Taking note of the stage of the trial, the judges chose to wait for the examination of these key witnesses before deliberating on the bail request.
Prior Legal Proceedings
Bhullar had approached the apex court to challenge an August 10 order of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which had rejected his plea for bail.
Earlier, on April 10, the Supreme Court had declined to entertain Bhullar’s previous bail application, granting him permission to move the high court if the trial failed to commence within two months. Prior to that, in January, a special CBI court in Chandigarh had also rejected his bail plea.
Allegations And CBI Arrest
The case originates from a complaint lodged in October last year accusing Bhullar, then serving as the DIG of Ropar range, of seeking an illicit gratification through a private intermediary. The bribe was allegedly sought to secure favourable treatment concerning a first information report registered at the Sirhind police station.
Following the registration of an FIR, the CBI laid a trap in Chandigarh on October 16 last year, leading to the apprehension of a co-accused while allegedly receiving Rs 5 lakh as part of the demanded payment. The agency arrested Bhullar later that month, after which he was placed under suspension.
