NEW DELHI/Chandigarh, Dec 19— The Supreme Court on Friday refused to stay a CBI investigation into two FIRs registered against suspended Punjab Police Deputy Inspector General Harcharan Singh Bhullar in a disproportionate assets case, noting that a similar plea is pending before the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi said it was not inclined to interfere as the high court is already hearing Bhullar’s petition challenging the probe.
Bhullar has assailed a Dec. 4 order of the high court that declined interim relief and adjourned the matter for hearing in January. When his counsel sought a direction on interim relief, the chief justice remarked, “It’s better we don’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 case for a month without considering the plea for interim protection. He contended that the CBI lacked jurisdiction after Punjab withdrew its general consent under the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act.
“The CBI has surreptitiously entered Punjab and circumvented Section 6 of the DSPE Act,” Chaudhary said, adding that the high court gave no reasons for denying interim relief.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the CBI, told the court that Bhullar had already been denied regular bail.
The bench indicated it would dismiss the petition, following which Chaudhary sought permission to withdraw it and pursue remedies before the high court. The court then disposed of the matter.
