Chandigarh | Updated: July 2, 2026
Suspended Punjab Police Deputy Inspector General Harcharan Singh Bhullar on Thursday moved the Special CBI Court in Chandigarh seeking discharge in a corruption case registered against him last year.
The Special CBI Court issued notice to the Central Bureau of Investigation and directed the agency to file its reply to Bhullar’s application.
In his plea, Bhullar claimed that the CBI had no jurisdiction to register the FIR against him under the law. He also argued that there was no evidence to prove the alleged demand or acceptance of a bribe.
The application further stated that the Central Forensic Science Laboratory report did not conclusively establish that the voice in the recording belonged to Bhullar.
The case was registered on the complaint of Akash Batta, who alleged that Bhullar, then posted as DIG, Ropar Range, had demanded illegal gratification through a private intermediary, Krishanu Sharda.
According to the complaint, the alleged bribe was demanded in return for favorable treatment in an FIR registered at Sirhind police station and to ensure that no coercive action was taken against the complainant’s business.
Following the complaint, the CBI laid a trap. Bhullar’s alleged aide Krishanu Sharda was arrested on October 16, 2025, while allegedly accepting ₹5 lakh as part of the demanded bribe from the complainant.
Bhullar was arrested on the same day. The CBI later filed its chargesheet under Section 193 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita on December 3, 2025.
During the previous hearing on June 6, the Special CBI Court had dismissed Bhullar’s application seeking to declare the prosecution sanction granted by the Ministry of Home Affairs invalid.
The matter was then adjourned to July 2 for arguments on charges.
Meanwhile, Bhullar’s regular bail plea in the corruption case is pending before the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
