Chandigarh, January 5: A CBI court in Chandigarh on Monday granted default bail to suspended Punjab Police DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar in a disproportionate assets case, after the agency failed to file a chargesheet within the stipulated 60-day period.
The court allowed Bhullar’s bail plea despite opposition from the prosecution, citing procedural grounds under criminal law. However, Bhullar will not be released from custody immediately, as his bail application in a separate corruption case was rejected last week.
Public prosecutor Narender Singh, appearing for the CBI, opposed the bail application, but the court ruled that the statutory time limit had expired.
“The bail has been granted on default as the chargesheet was not submitted within the mandatory period,” a source familiar with the proceedings said.
The disproportionate assets case was registered by the CBI on October 29, 11 days after Bhullar’s arrest in a corruption case linked to an alleged bribery demand.
Bhullar and his alleged aide Kirshanu Sharda were arrested on October 16, 2025, following a complaint by a scrap dealer from Mandi Gobindgarh, who accused the duo of seeking illegal gratification. The agency has alleged that Bhullar demanded bribes through Sharda.
During searches conducted at multiple locations associated with Bhullar, the CBI said it recovered cash, gold and silver jewellery, 26 high-end branded watches, and documents related to immovable properties.
Bhullar had earlier sought default bail, arguing that the period of custody should be calculated from the date of the first FIR, claiming the disproportionate assets case was linked to the earlier corruption case. That plea was rejected by the agency.
The investigation in both cases is ongoing.
