The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has secured a five-day remand of former Punjab DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar in a bribery case, after a Chandigarh court approved the agency’s request during a hearing on Saturday.
Bhullar, who was arrested on October 16 by the CBI in connection with alleged corruption and bribery charges, was produced before the court amid tight security. His counsel, advocates H S Dhanoha and RPS Bara, opposed the CBI’s plea for remand, arguing that the agency had already conducted sufficient investigation. However, the CBI maintained that custodial interrogation was essential to gather more evidence and confront Bhullar with fresh material recovered during the probe.
The court, after hearing both sides, granted the CBI five days of custody for further questioning.
Meanwhile, a parallel move by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau has set the stage for a possible inter-agency tug-of-war. The Vigilance Department filed a petition in the Mohali court seeking a production warrant for Bhullar in connection with a separate disproportionate assets case filed against him on October 29. The CBI, however, strongly opposed the plea, arguing that the Vigilance case pertained only to property ownership and that Bhullar’s physical custody was not necessary for investigation.
The Vigilance Bureau’s petition is expected to be heard on Monday, and sources familiar with the development said the department is keen to question Bhullar over unexplained assets allegedly amassed during his service tenure.
During his appearance in the Chandigarh court, Bhullar’s daughter was present, and the former DIG was seen embracing her and speaking briefly before being handed over to CBI for further questioning.
Meanwhile, with both central and state agencies now seeking custody, the case has taken a complex turn — with the coming week likely to determine whether the Vigilance Bureau will get access to the former officer while he remains in CBI custody.