Bhullar Moves Punjab and Haryana High Court Again to Seek Bail in Graft Case

Bhullar has approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court once again, filing a fresh petition to seek bail in his ongoing graft case.

The petition was submitted to the principal seat of the High Court in Chandigarh, where it will be examined by the bench designated to hear such matters.

The petition follows the Supreme Court’s order dated April 10, which dismissed his earlier bail plea but gave him liberty to revive the petition if the trial had not commenced within two months.

In the new petition, Bhullar asks the High Court to grant bail, contending that the delay in trial violates his constitutional right to a speedy hearing.

The High Court will consider whether the petition satisfies the condition set by the Supreme Court that the trial has not yet begun within the two‑month period.

The case, which involves allegations of corruption, continues to be examined by the judiciary as the legal process proceeds.

The Supreme Court’s directive allows the petition to be revived only when the trial has not started within the stipulated two‑month timeframe, a condition that appears to be met.

The High Court’s registry has recorded the petition and will schedule a hearing in due course, adhering to the court’s procedural timetable.

The matter will be listed for hearing before the appropriate bench, and the court will decide whether bail should be granted.

The petition was lodged in accordance with the procedural requirements of the Criminal Procedure Code, which permits an accused person to approach the High Court for bail after a lower court has denied the request.

The Supreme Court’s April 10 order explicitly stated that the petition could be revived only if the trial had not commenced within two months, a provision that the petition seeks to utilise.

The High Court bench, composed of judges appointed under the constitutional framework, will review the petition and determine whether the conditions for bail are satisfied.

The case remains under active judicial review, with the High Court poised to make a decision on the bail request in the coming weeks.

The Supreme Court’s directive was part of a broader set of orders concerning the timing of trials and the availability of bail, reflecting the court’s emphasis on ensuring that justice is not delayed.

Bhullar’s current petition seeks to bring the matter before the High Court for a fresh consideration of bail, invoking the Supreme Court’s conditional liberty.

The High Court will examine the petition in light of the procedural timeline set by the Supreme Court, and will render a decision based on the legal provisions and the facts presented.

The petition filing marks the latest step in the legal journey of Bhullar, who has been contesting the graft allegations since the case was first registered.

The Supreme Court’s order to allow revival of the petition if the trial is not yet started provides a procedural avenue for the accused to seek bail, contingent on the trial’s status.

The High Court’s decision will be closely watched, as it may influence the pace of the trial and the eventual outcome of the case.

Source: Hindustan Times