Punjab’s Corrupt DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar Approaches High Court, Challenges Arrest with Four Key Arguments

Chandigarh: Former Punjab Police DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar, arrested by the CBI on charges of bribery and disproportionate assets, has approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court challenging his arrest. Bhullar claims that the CBI acted beyond its jurisdiction and without prior permission from the Punjab government, making the arrest illegal.

Four Key Arguments Presented by Bhullar

1. Jurisdictional Challenge: Bhullar argued that he was posted in Punjab, and the alleged offense also occurred within Punjab. According to Section 6 of the Delhi Special Police Establishment (DSPE) Act, 1946, the CBI must obtain prior consent from the Punjab government to register a case or arrest an official within the state. The DIG contended that CBI failed to do so.
2. Invalid FIR: Bhullar claimed that the FIR registered by the CBI in Chandigarh is legally invalid as the offense is linked to Sirhind Police Station, Punjab, and not Chandigarh. Without Punjab government approval, any action by CBI would be unauthorized.
3. Seizure Disputed: Bhullar questioned the seizure of documents and assets, stating that nothing recovered from Chandigarh belonged to him. He alleged that CBI was attempting to frame him without concrete evidence.
4. Double FIR Issue: He contended that two FIRs cannot be registered for the same offense. The Punjab Vigilance Bureau had already filed an FIR on the same matter, and the CBI registered theirs only half an hour later. Hence, according to Bhullar, the CBI FIR is legally unsustainable.

Background of Arrest and Investigations

On 16 October 2025, the CBI arrested DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar on charges of demanding ₹8 lakh in bribe. Subsequent raids at his properties allegedly recovered crores in cash, gold, and documents related to assets. Later, on 29 October 2025, the CBI filed a second FIR against him for possessing disproportionate assets, while the Punjab Vigilance Bureau had already registered a corruption case against him.

Bhullar’s plea in the High Court asserts that the CBI’s actions were not only outside its jurisdiction but also legally flawed due to the double FIRs and lack of required government consent.