The division bench of Justice Anupinder Singh Grewal and Justice Lapita Banerji expressed concern after a Special Investigation Team (SIT) revealed that one of the interviews was conducted in September 2022 when Bishnoi was in the premises of the Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) of Punjab Police.
PUNJAB: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) to submit data on the criminal cases registered after gangster Lawrence Bishnoi’s interview with a television channel was broadcasted last year.
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Bishnoi, who is involved in over 70 cases in Punjab, is also a suspect in the murder of Punjabi singer Shubdeep Singh Sidhu alias Sidhu Moosewala. His interview with ABP News, where he claimed knowledge of the murder plot, was aired in March last year.
The division bench of Justice Anupinder Singh Grewal and Justice Lapita Banerji expressed concern after a Special Investigation Team (SIT) revealed that one of the interviews was conducted in September 2022 when Bishnoi was in the premises of the Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) of Punjab Police.
Earlier, a State-constituted Committee had provided an inconclusive report, stating that it was highly improbable that the interview was conducted in jail or police custody in Punjab.
The bench suggested that if the State Committee’s attempt was to mislead the Court or misdirect the judicial proceedings, it would be a serious matter and would be addressed at an appropriate stage.
The Court stressed that the investigation conducted by the SIT, which was constituted by the Court in December 2023, should not be limited to lower-level officials to protect higher officers.
“We hasten to add that the Punjab Police is one of the best police forces in the Country, but it needs to be insulated from extraneous influence. The black sheep has to be identified and brought to the book at the earliest,”
the bench said.
The court stated,
“We trust and expect that the SIT investigation is thorough and not limited to lower-level officials, ensuring that higher officers are not shielded at their expense.”
The court added,
“While the Punjab Police is among the best in the country, it must remain free from external influences.”
“The black sheep has to be identified and brought to the book at the earliest,”
said the court.
The Punjab chief secretary is required to provide full support to the SIT whenever needed.
“The interview glorifies crime and criminals, and its nearly 12 million YouTube views could negatively influence impressionable minds,”
the court noted.
The court remarked that a crime surge might have followed the broadcast of the interview.
“We direct the Punjab DGP to submit an affidavit detailing the number and specifics of criminal cases registered, particularly those involving extortion, ransom demands, abductions, and witness intimidation, from March 2023 to December 2023, and for the nine months preceding the interview broadcast,”
the court ordered.
The Court was hearing a suo motu matter related to the use of mobile phones by inmates within the jail premises. In December last year, the Court had expressed concern over Bishnoi’s interview and its potential adverse impact on impressionable minds.
The Court reiterated that there could have been a surge in crime after the interview was broadcasted and directed the Punjab DGP to file an affidavit detailing the number and specifics of criminal cases registered, especially those related to extortion, ransom, abduction, and witness intimidation, from March 2023 to December 2023.
The Court was also informed that the second interview was conducted when Bishnoi was in Rajasthan. The amicus curiae, Tanu Bedi, stated that she would file an application to implead the State of Rajasthan.
Furthermore, the Court directed the Punjab Government to file an affidavit on the progress made in enhancing jail security, including the installation of jammers, CCTV cameras, X-ray body scanners, and the increase in manpower.
The matter is scheduled for the next hearing on September 5.
Case Title: Court on its Own Motion vs State of Punjab and Others
