'Lawrence Bishnoi Interview Glorifies Criminals': P&H High Court Forms Probe SIT, Orders Removal Of Video Flagging National Security Threat

Considering the gravity of the matter, the Punjab & Haryana High Court today formed a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by Prabodh Kumar IPS, Special DGP, Punjab State Human Rights Commission, to investigate alleged Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi's TV interview to determine the accountability of the officials involved.

A division bench of Justice Anupinder Singh Grewal and Justice Kirti Singh observed that, "We have gone through the content of the interview which indicates that it does glorify crime and criminals to some extent. The suspect (Lawrence) is involved in 71 cases...which include offences under UAPA , murder, extortion. The suspect is justifying target killing, criminal activities and justifying threat for a film actor. There are large number of cases against him and there is an attempt to portray him larger than life."

The Court also raised concerns over the impact of Lawrence's interview on youth who could be influenced by the same as it noted that the interview had garnered millions of views on YouTube.

While noting that Punjab is a border state, the Court said that the "anti-nationals" from across the border can also use the influenced youths which can turn into a threat to national security. "There is a thin line between anti-national activities, extortion and target killing," added the Court.

The bench also noted that the committee has not ruled out the possibility of the interview being conducted in Punjab. "We find it strange that it took 8 months to reach an inconclusive finding," it added.

Amicus Curiae Advocate Tanu Bedi submitted that there are several aspects which have not been looked into, if the matter is properly investigated the exact time and location of the place where the suspect was situated during the interview can be pinpointed. She also submitted that after registration of FIR, these aspects can be looked into by the SIT.

During the hearing, she highlighted that the comments on the Lawrence interview videos were all in his support and praise. The telecast of the interview has an adverse impact on youngsters who get swayed, creating a wrong impression on young, impressionable minds.

The Court noted that the committee which earlier investigated the matter has recommended the removal of interview from the public domain, however, the state counsel submitted that the report is under consideration by the government. 

Adding that "we would not like to wait for the government to act", the Court referred to the Supreme Court's ruling in Shreya Singhal v. UOI, to buttress the opinion that the High Court can direct for the removal of the offending content from the internet.

It directed the Intermediary as per IT Act, 2000 and competent authorities to remove the video from the public domain.

Furthermore, it directed the SIT headed by Prabohd Kumar IPS, DG, Punjab Human Rights Commission and other members of the team which are IPS Rahul.S and IPS Nilambari Jagadale to lodge an FIR in the matter pertaining to the interview so that an investigation can be conducted as per the provisions of CrPC.

The matter is listed for January 10, for further consideration.

Background

The Court was hearing suo moto cognizance against the use of mobile phones in the prisons, it had observed that "it is a matter of grave concern that a suspect in police or judicial custody has been allowed to conduct an interview at length. The officers who permitted or facilitated the interview, need to be identified and taken to task at the earliest".

During the previous hearing, the Bench had expressed dissatisfaction that 7 months had elapsed "but not much headway has been made" by the Committee to probe Bishnoi's media interview conducted by mobile phone. Accordingly, it was directed that the ADGP file an affidavit explaining "why it has taken so long for the Committee to submit its report."

Click here to read/download the order