A division bench comprising Justices Anupinder Singh Grewal and Lapita Banerji directed the state to submit the transcript of a March 2023 press conference statement by the Director General of Police (DGP), wherein it was claimed no such interview took place in any Punjab jail.
![[Lawrence Bishnoi Interview Case] "Will Take Strict Action Against Delinquent Officers": Punjab Govt Tells HC](https://i0.wp.com/lawchakra.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/images-3.jpeg?resize=259%2C194&ssl=1)
Punjab: The Punjab Government assured the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Tuesday(19th Nov) that strict action would be taken against police officers involved in the interview of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi conducted during his custody.
A division bench comprising Justices Anupinder Singh Grewal and Lapita Banerji directed the state to submit the transcript of a March 2023 press conference statement by the Director General of Police (DGP), wherein it was claimed no such interview took place in any Punjab jail.
The court also instructed the principal secretary (home) to be present at the next hearing on December 2.
BRIEF FACTS
The suo motu case pertains to the use of mobile phones by jail inmates. In March 2023, a news channel aired two interviews with Bishnoi, including one allegedly conducted at the premises of a crime investigation agency in Mohali’s Kharar during his custody on September 3-4, 2022. Another interview was reportedly recorded while Bishnoi was in Jaipur Central Jail, Rajasthan.
Bishnoi, an accused in the 2022 murder of singer Sidhu Moosewala, was found to have given an interview glorifying crime, as revealed in a July report by a Punjab Police Special Investigation Team.
Punjab Advocate General Gurminder Singh informed the court that disciplinary proceedings were underway against officers involved, with a retired high court judge appointed to investigate. The AG also assured the court of reconsidering the judge’s appointment and presenting alternative suggestions.
The court noted earlier directions from August, emphasizing action against senior officers rather than scapegoating lower-ranked personnel. While the state had suspended seven police officers, including two DSPs, it was observed that no concrete action had been taken against senior officers who facilitated the interview.
The court further directed that the transcript of the DGP’s earlier statement denying the interview’s occurrence in Punjab jails be submitted. An affidavit filed by the DGP was also taken on record.
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