By Satinder Bains
CHANDIGARH: All eyes are on the Mohali court today as it takes up the Punjab Vigilance Bureau’s plea for custody of Punjab Police DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar, whose arrest by the CBI in a major corruption case has triggered a political and administrative storm in the state.
The case has taken an unusual twist with the Punjab government rushing to seek Bhullar’s custody, even though the CBI has already secured his five-day remand. The move has raised serious questions about the government’s intent and whether it is trying to shield the tainted police officer or regain control of a politically sensitive probe.
Suspicion Over Punjab Vigilance Bureau’s Intentions
The Vigilance Bureau’s application for Bhullar’s custody, filed soon after his CBI arrest, is being viewed with suspicion by both political observers and legal experts. Many believe the state agency’s sudden intervention was aimed at thwarting the CBI’s investigation and preventing the central agency from unearthing possible links between Bhullar’s alleged corruption and senior officers or political figures.
Sources said the Vigilance Bureau was keen to obtain Bhullar’s remand from a Mohali court immediately after the CBI took him into custody, raising doubts about coordination between the two agencies. “The state seems desperate to keep this case within its fold, ” a senior legal expert commented. “It appears the Punjab government wants to pre-empt any damaging disclosures that could expose higher-ups.”
Massive Recovery Stuns Officials
The CBI, which arrested Bhullar last week, has reported a staggering haul from his residence and properties — ₹7.5 crore in cash, 2.5 kilograms of gold, besides liquor, narcotics, and arms. The recovery has caused major embarrassment to the Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government, as Bhullar had been considered close to the ruling establishment and was entrusted with key assignments, including heading the SIT that interrogated Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia in a high-profile drugs case.
Officials familiar with the probe said Bhullar was allegedly running a network that collected bribes and illegal payments, possibly to appease influential figures. “The wealth seized indicates systematic corruption involving several layers, ” said a source. “The question now is — who was he working for?”
Political Fallout for AAP Government
The episode has triggered a political uproar, with Opposition parties accusing the AAP government of hypocrisy. The Shiromani Akali Dal and Congress have both alleged that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and his team were fully aware of Bhullar’s conduct but chose to protect him.
“Bhullar was rewarded with plum postings because he was politically convenient, ” alleged a senior Akali leader. “Now that the CBI has exposed him, the government is scrambling to contain the damage.”
Congress leaders echoed the sentiment, saying the case exposes the “double standards” of AAP’s anti-corruption campaign.
A Test Case for Law and Politics in Punjab
The Mohali court’s decision today will be critical in determining which agency — the CBI or the Punjab Vigilance Bureau — retains control over Bhullar’s custody and interrogation. The ruling could have far-reaching implications for ongoing power tussles between state and central investigating agencies and for the Mann government’s credibility.
For now, the courtroom in Mohali has become the focal point of one of Punjab’s most sensational corruption cases in recent years. Whether Bhullar’s interrogation leads to a broader crackdown or ends in a quiet compromise will depend on what unfolds in court today.