The Punjab and Haryana High Court has refused anticipatory bail to Sukhdev Singh Bhullar and Dilbagh Singh, also known as Baga. Sukhdev is the father of former Punjab transport minister Laljit Singh Bhullar. Dilbagh is the minister’s personal assistant. Both are named in an abetment to suicide case. The order was reported by The Tribune on September 19, 2026.
Justice Aman Chaudhary passed the order. He held that the allegations were serious and that custodial interrogation was needed.
What did the court record?
The court noted that Sukhdev Bhullar had taken part in a tender process. The tender was allotted to Baba Naga Agro Private Limited. Gagandeep Singh Randhawa, then district manager of the Punjab State Warehousing Corporation, was allegedly pressured to cancel it. The aim, as alleged, was to give it to Sukhdev Bhullar.
The court also recorded a claim about March 13. A video was allegedly made at the minister’s house. Investigators found that the sofa set and curtains in the clip matched those in a room of the house.
The judge noted the allegation that Randhawa was forced to confess to taking a bribe. He was also allegedly beaten. A witness stated that Randhawa spoke of threats on his way back to Amritsar. He was reportedly given a week to get the tender reallotted. Randhawa died on March 21, right after that period ended.
Why did the court refuse bail?
Justice Chaudhary said protective bail would hamper a full and effective probe. Several items had not yet been recovered, he noted. These include the DVR, which was allegedly removed, a pistol and mobile phones.
The court also recorded fears that the petitioners could influence witnesses or tamper with evidence. It said their custodial interrogation was “stated to be imperative.” The petitions were dismissed as having no merit.
What is the background of the case?
Amritsar police registered a case on March 22 after a complaint by Randhawa’s wife, Upinder Kaur. Laljit Bhullar, his father and his PA were booked under BNS Sections 108, 351 and 3(5). Those cover abetment to suicide, criminal intimidation and common intention.
Laljit Bhullar resigned from the Bhagwant Mann cabinet on March 21. The case drew sharp reactions from opposition parties in Punjab.