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The CBI arrested Bhullar on October 16 in connection with a corruption case involving an alleged bribe demand of ₹8 lakh. The agency claimed to have recovered around ₹5 crore in cash, 1.5 kg of jewellery, documents relating to immovable properties, keys of two luxury vehicles, and 22 luxury watches.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday refused to entertain a plea filed by suspended Punjab Police DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar seeking a stay on the CBI investigation in two FIRs registered against him in a disproportionate assets case.

A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi, noted that the Punjab and Haryana High Court was already seized of a similar petition filed by Bhullar and declined to intervene at this stage.

Bhullar has challenged the December 4 order of the High Court, which refused to grant interim relief staying the CBI proceedings and adjourned the matter for hearing in January.

When Bhullar’s counsel urged the apex court to direct the High Court to decide the plea for interim relief expeditiously, the CJI cautioned against inviting adverse observations, remarking, “We shouldn’t open our mouths. Don’t invite harsh observations from us.”

Senior advocate Vikram Chaudhary, appearing for Bhullar, argued that the High Court erred in adjourning the matter for nearly a month without considering the prayer for interim protection. He contended that the CBI had illegally assumed jurisdiction in Punjab in violation of the Delhi Special Police Establishment (DSPE) Act, as the state government had withdrawn its general consent for CBI investigations.

“The CBI has surreptitiously entered Punjab and circumvented Section 6 of the DSPE Act,” Chaudhary submitted, adding that the High Court failed to assign any reason for denying interim relief except stating that it would hear the matter later.

Opposing the plea, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the CBI, informed the court that Bhullar had already been denied regular bail in the case.

The Bench said it was not inclined to interfere with the ongoing proceedings before the High Court and indicated its intention to dismiss the petition. Sensing the court’s disinclination, Chaudhary sought permission to withdraw the plea, stating that Bhullar would pursue his remedies before the High Court. The Supreme Court accordingly disposed of the matter.

The CBI arrested Bhullar on October 16 in connection with a corruption case involving an alleged bribe demand of ₹8 lakh. The agency claimed to have recovered around ₹5 crore in cash, 1.5 kg of jewellery, documents relating to immovable properties, keys of two luxury vehicles, 22 luxury watches, locker keys, 40 litres of imported liquor, and multiple firearms—including a double-barrel gun, pistol, revolver and an airgun—along with ammunition during raids at his residence.

According to the CBI, Bhullar was arrested from his office in Mohali following a complaint by a scrap dealer from Mandi Gobindgarh in Fatehgarh Sahib district, who accused the senior police officer of demanding recurring monthly payments to “settle” an FIR registered against him in 2023.