The bench, led by Justices Anupinder Singh Grewal and Lapita Banerji, remarked that police personnel had provided Bishnoi access to electronic devices and a studio-like setup, which glorified crime and could encourage further offenses such as extortion.
Punjab: The Punjab and Haryana High Court criticized the cancellation report submitted by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) regarding the Lawrence Bishnoi interview, suggesting a possible nexus and criminal conspiracy between police officials and the gangster.
The bench, led by Justices Anupinder Singh Grewal and Lapita Banerji, remarked that police personnel had provided Bishnoi access to electronic devices and a studio-like setup, which glorified crime and could encourage further offenses such as extortion.
The court ordered a fresh investigation into the 2023 interview conducted by a private channel while Bishnoi was in Bathinda jail.
“Police officials allowed the criminal to use an electronic device and provided a studio-like facility to conduct the interview, which tends to glorify crime with the potential to facilitate other crimes, including extortion by the criminal and his associates,” the court said.
It also rebuked the state government under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for scapegoating junior officials, noting that of the suspended personnel, only two were gazetted officers, while the rest were of lower rank.
“Involvement of police officials may suggest receipt of illegal gratification from the criminal or his associates and constitute offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Therefore, the case requires further investigation, under Section 173(8) Cr.pc” the bench said.
The bench further observed that the involvement of police officials could indicate illegal gratification, constituting offenses under the Prevention of Corruption Act, and therefore warranted deeper investigation.
Among those suspended were two deputy superintendents of police, but the court expressed particular concern over the role of Shiv Kumar, the former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in-charge, who was dismissed despite being on an extension.
The court questioned Bishnoi’s frequent transfers to the CIA in Kharar for remand and interrogation, and directed the state to submit additional affidavits. It also criticized the absence of statements from senior officials about how the interview was allowed within Punjab’s jail.
The court inquired,
“Why did the DGP deny the interview occurred in a Punjab jail, and why wasn’t Section 120-B (criminal conspiracy) applied to the officers involved?”
The SIT, led by the Special Director General of Police (Human Rights), admitted that one interview was conducted during Bishnoi’s custody in Kharar, while another took place in Rajasthan. Following these findings, seven officers were suspended.
The controversy surrounding the interviews resurfaced after videos were circulated in the aftermath of the October 13 killing of Baba Siddique, a former Maharashtra minister and NCP leader associated with Ajit Pawar, by assailants in Mumbai.
