Punjab Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Harcharan Singh Bhullar, who is currently lodged in Chandigarh Model Jail, on Friday approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking regular bail in a corruption case.
In his petition, Bhullar submitted that the investigation in the case had already been completed and the final investigation report was filed on December 3 last year, making any further custodial interrogation unnecessary.
Filing the plea through his counsel, advocate Nikhil Ghai, Bhullar contended that the prosecution intended to examine mainly official witnesses and the complainant. Since all the accused have been suspended from service, there was no reasonable apprehension of their influencing witnesses or tampering with evidence.
The petitioner further argued that the complainant had been provided protection in compliance with High Court orders. He also claimed that the alleged trap related to a co-accused and did not involve any direct acceptance or recovery of bribe money from him.
Bhullar additionally pointed to what he termed a material illegality, stating that he was produced before the magistrate more than 24 hours after being taken into custody, which, he argued, adversely affected the fairness of the legal process.
Counsel submitted that the offences alleged under the Prevention of Corruption Act carry a maximum punishment of seven years and that Bhullar has already been in custody since October 17, 2025.
“Continued incarceration in these circumstances would amount to punitive detention before trial, contrary to settled principles governing bail,” Ghai argued, adding that the petitioner was willing to comply with all conditions imposed by the court, including regular appearances, non-interference with witnesses, and surrender of his passport, if required.
