Punjab & Haryana High Court Dismisses Bhupinder Singh Hooda’s Plea to Postpone Corruption Trial

High Court affirms that trials under the Prevention of Corruption Act cannot be stayed, emphasizing the need to combat rampant corruption in public offices.

Chandigarh, November 7, 2025 – The Punjab and Haryana High Court has dismissed a petition filed by former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, seeking the postponement of trial proceedings against him in a corruption case. The Court, presided over by Justice Tribhuvan Dahiya, reaffirmed that trials under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, cannot be stayed by the High Court, citing the specific bar under Section 19(3)(c) of the Act.

The petitioner, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, along with other government officials, stands accused of conspiring to allow land acquisition proceedings to lapse, which allegedly led to wrongful gains for private entities and significant losses to the state exchequer. The case, registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) following Supreme Court directives, involves charges under Sections 420, 120B of the Indian Penal Code, and Sections 13(1)(d) and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Hooda’s counsel argued that since the Supreme Court stayed proceedings against some co-accused, the trial against him should also be deferred. However, the High Court rejected this contention, highlighting that Hooda had not challenged the 2020 order directing the framing of charges against him, which has now attained finality. The Court stated that Hooda cannot impede the trial's progress by relying on interim stays granted to co-accused and that the trial could proceed without prejudice to him.

The Court also referenced the landmark judgment in Satya Narayana Sharma v. State of Rajasthan, which clarifies that High Courts cannot stay trials under the Prevention of Corruption Act, emphasizing that such stays adversely impact efforts to curb corruption among public servants.

In conclusion, the High Court's decision underscores the judiciary's commitment to expediting corruption trials and its reluctance to allow procedural delays, especially in cases involving public corruption. The proceedings against Hooda and others are set to continue, with charges to be formally framed.

Bottom Line:

Trial in cases under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, cannot be stayed by the High Court in exercise of its inherent jurisdiction under Section 482 Cr.P.C., as there is a specific bar under Section 19(3)(c) of the Act.

Statutory provision(s): Section 19(3)(c) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988; Sections 420, 120B of the Indian Penal Code, 1860; Section 13(1)(d) read with Section 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988; Section 528 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023; Section 346 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023; Section 482 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973.

Bhupinder Singh Hooda v. Central Bureau of Investigation, (Punjab And Haryana) : Law Finder Doc Id # 2805115