On Thursday(12th Sept), the Punjab and Haryana High Court stated that disciplinary action for facilitating gangster Lawrence Bishnoi’s interview in custody should include higher-ranking officers, not just lower-ranking ones. This followed the Punjab government’s commitment to initiate proceedings against the involved officers.
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CHANDIGARH: The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Thursday(12th Sept), expressed its expectation that disciplinary action against police officers who facilitated the interview of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi while he was in police custody should not be limited to lower-ranking officials. The court emphasized that the accountability should extend to higher-ranking officers as well.
A division bench comprising Justices Anupinder Singh Grewal and Lapita Banerji made this statement following the Punjab government’s submission that disciplinary proceedings would be initiated against the officers involved in the matter.
The issue arose after a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Punjab Police submitted a report to the High Court in July, revealing that the interview with Lawrence Bishnoi, which “tends to glorify crime and criminals,” was conducted while the gangster was in custody at Mohali’s Kharar. A second interview was conducted while he was in Rajasthan. The initial interview took place at the premises of the Crime Investigating Agency (CIA) staff in Kharar, which falls under the jurisdiction of SAS Nagar, Mohali, in Punjab.
Under the directions of the High Court, the Punjab Police registered two First Information Reports (FIRs) in connection with the interviews of Bishnoi. He is one of the accused in the 2022 murder case of singer Sidhu Moosewala, and the interviews were aired by a private news channel last year.
The division bench was hearing a suo motu case related to the use of mobile phones by inmates within jail premises. During the hearing, the Advocate General (AG) of Punjab submitted that disciplinary action would be initiated against the officers who were in charge of the CIA staff, as well as the supervisory officers, in accordance with the law.
“We hope and trust that action will not be limited to lower-level officials but will also include higher officers who had supervisory jurisdiction over the CIA Staff in Kharar, including the then Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) who led the district police when the interview took place.”
– the court stated emphatically.
The Principal Secretary of Home Affairs and Justice and the Director General of Punjab Police appeared before the court via video conferencing. They affirmed that they are “duty-bound to take action against the delinquent officers.”
The SIT, in its status report, informed the court that the first interview with Bishnoi was conducted during the night of September 3 and 4, 2022, at the premises of CIA Staff, Kharar in Mohali. The second interview took place when Bishnoi was lodged in the Central Jail in Jaipur, Rajasthan.
The Advocate General of Rajasthan, who also appeared through video conferencing, submitted that-
“Once they receive the necessary papers, they will take appropriate action on the matter.”
The court directed that the FIR concerning the second interview be transferred to the state of Rajasthan.
“The Director General of Police, Rajasthan, will consider registering the case at an appropriate police station to conduct further investigation.”
-the court’s order stated.
In addition to addressing the issue of the unauthorized interviews, the court also examined matters related to prison security. The Additional Director General of Police (Prisons), Punjab, submitted before the court that a process had been initiated to install jammers, artificial intelligence-based CCTV cameras, body-worn cameras, and other security measures. However, the implementation had been delayed due to inadequate funding.
The Advocate General of Punjab assured the court that-
“the funds would be released within 10 days from now,”
to facilitate the completion of these security enhancements.
Back in December 2023, the court had directed the Punjab government to improve the calling facilities for inmates, noting that-
“At times, inmates may become desperate to contact their loved ones and might even attempt to illegally smuggle mobile phones to do so.”
In response to the court’s inquiry, the Additional Director General of Police (Prisons), Punjab, submitted that a work order has been placed and that –
“the entire process would be tested and fully operational by December.”
He also mentioned that clearance from the Government of India would be required, which “would take some time.”
“It is made clear that no further extension will be granted to the State for implementing the directions within the timeline set by the State.”
-the court asserted firmly.
The court also directed that the ADGP (Prisons) file an affidavit regarding the progress towards the installation of jammers, AI-based CCTV cameras, body-worn cameras, and other measures to enhance jail security.
The next date of hearing in the matter has been fixed for September 24.
