Lawrence Bishnoi's Interview From Jail: Hope Disciplinary Action Would Extend To Higher-Level Police Officials: High Court To Punjab Govt

The Punjab & Haryana High Court today said that it hopes disciplinary action against officials involved in helping facilitate the interview of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi would not just be taken against lower-level police officials but extend to the higher officers who had supervisory jurisdiction over the lock-up where Bishnoi was allegedly confined during one of his interviews.

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.

Advocate General, Punjab, submitted that disciplinary action would be initiated against the officers, who were in charge of the CIA Staff as well as the supervisory officers in accordance with law.

Justice Anupinder Singh Grewal and Justice Lapita Banerji said "We hope and trust that action would not be confined to the lower level officials but extend to the higher officers who had supervisory jurisdiction over CIA Staff, Kharar including the then SSP, who was the Head of the District Police when the interview was conducted."

In pursuance of the Court's direction, Advocate General, Rajasthan, appeared through video conferencing and submitted that as soon as they received the necessary papers, appropriate action in the matter would be taken.

Consequently, the Court directed the transfer of the FIR pertaining to the interview conducted in Jaipur Central Jail to Rajasthan along with the necessary papers.

The Court also noted that the ADGP, Punjab Prisons, submitted that the process for installing jammers, AI-based CCTV cameras, body-worn cameras etc. has been initiated but could not be completed for want of adequate funds.

On this AG Punjab assured the Court that the funds would be released within 10 days.

The bench further enquired about its direction issued to the State to augment the calling facility for the inmates of the jail as at times there is desperation on the part of the inmates to speak to their near and dear ones and they may even make efforts to illegally smuggle the mobile phone on that account.

"In response to the query of this Court, the ADGP, Prisons, Punjab submits that work order has been placed and the entire process would be tested and fully operational by December, 2024. He also submits that clearance from the Government of India would be required which would take some time," it noted.

The Court made it clear that "no further extension shall be granted to the State for implementation of the directions in terms of the timeline set out by the State."

It also highlighted that ASG Satya Pal Jain in January had assured the Court that as and when a proposal from the State Government is received for installing calling facilities in Jails, "the necessary clearance would be given by the Govt. of India in the shortest possible time."

The matter is listed for September 24 for further consideration.

Ms. Tanu Bedi, Advocate as Amicus Curiae and Ms. Pooja Dahiya, Advocate.

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

Mr. Rajender Prasad, Advocate General, Rajasthan (through video conferencing).

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

Mr. Dalvinderjit Singh, OSD (through video conferencing). Mr. Anant Kataria, DAG, Haryana.

Mr. Munish Bansal, Public Prosecutor, UT, Chandigarh and

Mr. Rajiv Vij, Additional Public Prosecutor for UT, Chandigarh.

Mr. Gourave Bhayyia Gilhotra, Advocate, Mr. Hitesh Verma, Advocate and 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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