Supreme Court Rejects Punjab DIG's Plea to Halt CBI Probe in DA Case

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The Supreme Court on Friday denied a petition by suspended Punjab Police DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar to put on hold the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into two FIRs filed against him in a disproportionate assets case. A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant stated that the Punjab and Haryana High Court was already dealing with a similar plea, and they saw no reason to interfere with the proceedings. Bhullar, who was arrested by the CBI in October for allegedly demanding a bribe of ₹8 lakh, had challenged the high court's decision to deny him interim relief from the CBI investigation. His lawyer, Vikram Chaudhary, argued that the high court had erred in adjourning the matter without considering his request for an interim stay. However, the Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the CBI, pointed out that Bhullar had been denied regular bail. The bench, sensing the mood of the court, dismissed the petition. Bhullar's lawyer then withdrew the petition, deciding to pursue the matter in the high court. The CBI had initially claimed to have recovered ₹5 crore in cash, luxury items, and other assets from Bhullar's residence during a raid. He was accused of demanding a recurring monthly payment from a scrap dealer in exchange for settling a 2023 FIR against him. Bhullar, the son of a former Punjab Director General of Police, has had a long career in the police force, holding various positions, including DIG, joint director, and senior superintendent of police. He had also headed a special investigation team probing a 2021 drug case against Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia.