The Supreme Court on Tuesday heard the regular bail plea of suspended Punjab Police DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar in connection with a CBI corruption case. The court indicated that it would like the complainant and the shadow witness to be examined before considering his plea for regular bail.

A Bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana sought to know whether the complainant had been examined before the plea was taken up. When told that the complainant had not yet entered the witness box, Justice Bagchi emphasised his importance, observing: “That’s the most vital witness.

The Court was also informed that the shadow witness had not been examined. The CBI assured the Bench that the complainant would be examined as the next prosecution witness. Petitioner’s counsel thereafter urged that the shadow witness should also be examined, submitting that both were material witnesses in the case. However the court declined that. The matter was accordingly posted after four weeks.

The case relates to allegations that Bhullar, while serving as DIG, Ropar Range, had allegedly demanded illegal gratification through an intermediary. The CBI had laid a trap on October 16, 2025, during which the intermediary was allegedly apprehended while accepting ₹5 lakh as part of the alleged bribe.

The Supreme Court had previously declined to entertain Bhullar’s bail plea but had granted him liberty to approach the High Court if the trial did not commence within two months. The Punjab and Haryana High Court, however, rejected Bhullar’s regular bail plea, noting that the complainant and shadow witness had not yet been examined and that the prosecution had relied upon recorded conversations, verification proceedings and the alleged recovery of tainted money.