The Punjab and Haryana High Court took action on Friday. It issued a formal notice to the Central Bureau of Investigation. The court seeks a reply on a regular bail plea. The plea comes from suspended Punjab DIG H S Bhullar. He faces a corruption case.
Court Directs Multiple Parties to Respond
Justice Sumeet Goel presided over the matter. The judge issued the notice after considering Bhullar's petition. Apart from the CBI, the High Court also directed the complainant to file a reply. The complainant's original allegation led to Bhullar's booking. The court has scheduled the next hearing for February 9.
Bhullar's Legal Challenge and Allegations
In his petition, Bhullar challenges the legality of his detention. He alleges a clear violation of his constitutional rights. The officer details specific irregularities in his arrest process.
Bhullar states he was taken into custody at his Mohali office. This happened at 11:30 am on October 16, 2025. However, his formal arrest was not recorded until 8 pm on the same day. This delay raises procedural questions.
Furthermore, he contends he was not produced before a magistrate promptly. He appeared only after 2 pm on October 17. This timeline exceeds the standard 24-hour limit mandated by law for such productions.
Arguments Presented in the Bail Application
The bail plea makes several key arguments. It states that no money was directly recovered from Bhullar himself. The core of the alleged trap, according to the petition, remains centred on another individual named Krishanu.
Bhullar portrays himself as a decorated officer with over three decades of service. He was on the verge of retirement when arrested. His petition claims he is being targeted for ulterior motives.
A significant point raised is the status of the investigation. The CBI already filed its final investigation report on December 3, 2025. Bhullar's legal team argues this makes any further custodial interrogation completely unnecessary.
Background of the Case and Arrest
Bhullar approached the High Court after a special CBI court in Chandigarh rejected his bail request. He is currently held in Burail jail, Chandigarh.
The case originated on October 16, 2025. The CBI arrested Bhullar, a 2009-batch IPS officer, along with a private person. The arrest was made in connection with a bribery case. Bhullar was serving as DIG of the Ropar Range and was arrested directly from his office.
The Complaint and Alleged Demand
The arrest followed a trap laid by the central agency. It acted on a complaint filed by Akash Batta. Batta is a resident of Mandi Gobindgarh in Fatehgarh Sahib district.
The written complaint, dated October 11, 2025, contains serious allegations. It claims Harcharan Singh Bhullar, the DIG, demanded illegal gratification. This demand was allegedly made through a middleman.
The bribe was sought for settling an FIR registered in 2023. The FIR was filed at the Sirhind police station against the complainant, Akash Batta. The officer also allegedly promised to ensure no further coercive police action would be taken against Batta's scrap business.
Recovery of Assets and Material
After the arrest, the CBI conducted searches. The agency recovered substantial cash from various premises linked to Bhullar. Investigators also found incriminating material.
The recoveries included 1.5 kilograms of jewellery. Authorities also seized documents related to immovable properties and other assets located in Punjab. These findings form part of the evidence in the ongoing case.
The High Court's notice marks a critical juncture. It allows Bhullar a formal platform to contest the charges and his detention. All parties must now prepare their responses for the scheduled hearing on February 9.
