Unveiling Justice: Punjab and Haryana High Court Commands Powerful New Investigation into Lawrence Bishnoi’s Controversial 2023 Interview!
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has mandated a new investigation into Lawrence Bishnoi’s controversial interview with a private TV channel while he was incarcerated at Bathinda jail in 2023. This decision stems from concerns about a possible nexus and criminal conspiracy between police officials and the gangster, following a suspicious cancellation report filed by the Special Investigation Team (SIT). Justices Anupinder Singh Grewal and Lapita Banerji criticized the police for allegedly providing Bishnoi access to electronic devices and a studio-like setup to conduct the interview, which they said could glorify crime and potentially aid in extortion schemes by Bishnoi and his associates.
The bench pointed to potential offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act, suggesting that police involvement might imply the receipt of illegal gratifications. It also questioned the inconsistent application of the law, notably the absence of Section 120-B of the Criminal Conspiracy Act against involved officers. The SIT acknowledged an interview during Bishnoi’s custody in Mohali’s Kharar and another in Rajasthan, contradicting the Director General of Police’s earlier denial of such interactions within Punjab.
The high court criticized the Punjab government’s response, noting that only two of the seven suspended personnel were gazetted officers, with the rest being of junior rank. This raised concerns over scapegoating lower-level officers, as observed in prior court orders. The court also questioned the involvement of Shiv Kumar, a former head of a Punjab Police investigative unit, particularly concerning Bishnoi’s frequent transfers to the Kharar wing for remand and interrogation.
The court has now demanded additional affidavits from the Punjab government to clarify these issues, restoring the focus on systemic accountability and transparency within law enforcement agencies.
Original Story https://www.livemint.com/news/india/punjab-and-haryana-high-court-orders-fresh-probe-into-lawrence-bishnoi-s-2023-interview-case-11730279121076.html
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