The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Thursday delivered a significant setback to suspended Punjab DIG H S Bhullar, who is currently in judicial custody in a corruption case. The court refused to grant him any interim relief, observing that arguments in the main petition had already begun.
Court Rejects Plea for Interim Relief
A division bench led by Chief Justice Sheel Nagu declined to provide immediate relief to the senior police officer. The bench noted that the nature of the relief sought by Bhullar was essentially akin to seeking a final resolution in the matter. With substantive arguments already underway, the court found no grounds to issue an interim order at this stage of the proceedings.
Jurisdiction Question Adjourned to 2026
A pivotal legal question regarding the authority over the Indian Police Service (IPS) officer took center stage during the hearing. Bhullar's counsel argued that as a Punjab-cadre IPS officer, the administrative control and disciplinary authority over him rested solely with the state government of Punjab.
In his petition, Bhullar, who is lodged in Model Jail, Burail in Chandigarh, contended that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) lacked both the authority and the jurisdiction to register a First Information Report (FIR) against him within Punjab or to investigate the case. To deliberate on this complex issue of service rules, the high court has adjourned this specific hearing to January 2026. The court has also called for the All India Services Act and other relevant regulations to examine the matter thoroughly.
Details of the CBI Arrest and Allegations
The case stems from an arrest made by the CBI on October 16. The agency apprehended DIG H S Bhullar, a 2009-batch IPS officer posted as the Deputy Inspector General of the Ropar range, along with a private individual. The arrest was executed at Bhullar's office in Chandigarh following a meticulously laid trap.
The action was initiated based on a written complaint filed by Akash Batta, a resident of Mandi Gobindgarh in Fatehgarh Sahib district. The complaint, dated October 11, alleged that Bhullar, operating through a middleman, demanded a bribe to settle an FIR registered in 2023 at the Sirhind police station against the complainant. The bribe was reportedly sought to ensure no further coercive police action would be taken against Batta's scrap business.
Following the arrest, the CBI conducted searches and claimed to have seized substantial evidence. This included a significant amount of cash, 1.5 kg of jewellery, documents related to immovable properties, and other assets located in Punjab, which the agency termed as incriminating material.
What Happens Next?
With the interim relief denied, H S Bhullar will remain in judicial custody as the legal battles continue on two fronts. The main petition challenging the CBI's jurisdiction will see its next hearing in early 2026. Simultaneously, the criminal case registered by the CBI will proceed through its own legal course. The court's decision underscores the rigorous scrutiny applied in cases involving allegations of corruption against high-ranking officials.
