High Court Asks Why Officer Posted At Punjab Police's CIA At Time Of Lawrence Bishnoi Jail Interview Was Given Extension After Retirement

The Punjab & Haryana High Court asked Punjab Government why Punjab Police officer posted at its Crime Intelligence Agency (CIA), where Lawrence Bishnoi's interview from jail was allegedly conducted, was given extension after retirement.

Amicus Curiae Tanu Bedi highlighted that Bishnoi had been kept at the premises of the CIA Staff Kharar for a long period of time and repeated remands had been taken to keep him there, which needs to be examined as to whether there was a deliberate attempt to keep him there for extraneous reasons or he was genuinely required for investigation.

Justice Anupinder Singh Grewal and Justice Lapita Banerji noted that, "Inspector Shiv Kumar, the then Incharge of the CIA Staff, Kharar had retired in the year 2023. However, the affidavit filed by the ADGP (Prisons) indicates that Inspector Shiv Kumar was Incharge of the CIA Staff Kharar till January, 2024."

It is disconcerting to believe that an officer, who had superannuated, had been given extension and posted at CIA Staff Kharar, observed the division bench.

The development came after the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Punjab and Haryana High Court revealed that gangster Lawrence Bishnoi's first interview "glorifying crime and criminals" was conducted when he was in Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) premises in Punjab's Kharar and the second interview was in a Jaipur jail.

AG Punjab filed an affidavit of the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Litigation, Bureau of Investigation, Punjab wherein it is mentioned that show cause notices have been issued to four officers including the then SSP of the District SAS Nagar as to why disciplinary proceedings be not initiated against them.

He also filed an affidavit of the Punjab's Additional Director General of Police, Prisons, indicating the progress made in installation of jammers, AI based CCTV cameras, body worn cameras, X-Ray baggage scanners and prison inmate calling system, the Court noted.

While listing the matter for October 15, the Court also asked the State to file an affidavit in response to the submission of the Amicus Curiae with regard to stay of interviewee at CIA Staff Kharar and as to whether the officers who have been issued show cause notices are currently at posts having public dealing.

Ms. Tanu Bedi, Advocate as Amicus Curiae and Ms. Palak Singla, Advocate.

Mr. Gurminder Singh, Advocate General, Punjab with Mr. ADS Sukhija, Addl. A.G., Punjab.

Mr. Satyapal Jain, Additional Solicitor General of India with Mr. Arun Gosain, Senior Govt. Counsel for the respondent/UOI.

Mr. Rahul Dev Singh, Addl. A.G., Haryana.

Mr. Munish Bansal, Public Prosecutor, UT, Chandigarh and Mr. Rajiv Vij, Additional Public Prosecutor for UT, Chandigarh.

Mr. Vishwajeet Singh, Advocate for the applicant in CM-85-CWPIL-2023.

Title: COURT ON ITS OWN MOTION V/S STATE OF PUNJAB AND ORS

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