New Delhi, Sep 15: The Supreme Court on Tuesday indicated that the corruption case against suspended Punjab Police DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar could warrant dismissal from service, while deferring consideration of his second bail plea.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana posted the matter for hearing after four weeks. The court also indicated that it may consider the bail request after certain material witnesses are examined.
During the hearing, the Chief Justice remarked, “It’s 100 per cent case of dismissal! You want dismissal now or later?”
Bhullar’s counsel submitted that the complainant and some key witnesses were yet to be examined, while statements of certain others had already been recorded.
The suspended officer has challenged the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s August 10 order rejecting his bail plea. The Supreme Court had earlier, on April 10, declined to entertain his bail application but allowed him to approach the high court if the trial did not commence within two months.
The case stems from a complaint filed in October last year alleging that Bhullar, who was then serving as DIG of the Ropar range, sought illegal gratification through a private intermediary in exchange for favourable treatment in an FIR registered at Sirhind police station.
Following the complaint, an FIR was registered and the CBI laid a trap in Chandigarh on October 16. A co-accused was allegedly caught accepting Rs 5 lakh as part of the demanded bribe.
Bhullar was subsequently arrested in connection with the case. In January, a special CBI court in Chandigarh also rejected his bail application.