In a significant judicial observation, the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Thursday expressed its expectation that the repercussions for allowing gangster Lawrence Bishnoi to be interviewed while in custody should encompass not only lower-ranking officers but also their higher-ups. Justices Anupinder Singh Grewal and Lapita Banerji articulated this stance in response to submissions by the Punjab government regarding impending disciplinary actions.
The court’s remarks came during a suo motu hearing concerning the misuse of mobile phones within jail premises, which indirectly touched upon the broader issues of prison governance exposed by Bishnoi’s interviews. These interviews, which aired last year on a private news channel, have stirred substantial controversy due to their potential to glorify criminal activities. Bishnoi, infamously linked to the 2022 murder of singer Sidhu Moosewala, was interviewed in Kharar’s CIA staff premises and later from a jail in Rajasthan.
Highlighting systemic lapses, a special investigation team (SIT) of the Punjab Police revealed that Bishnoi’s first interview occurred under dubious circumstances within the jurisdiction of Mohali’s SAS Nagar. The subsequent interview took place in Jaipur’s Central Jail. This prompted the court to direct the transfer of the second FIR to Rajasthan, recommending further investigation by local authorities.
During the proceedings, the Advocate General of Punjab and the Principal Secretary of Home Affairs and Justice, along with the Director General of Punjab Police, affirmed their commitment to legally disciplining the officers involved. The court specifically pointed to the supervisory roles of senior officials, including the then Senior Superintendent of Police of the district, underscoring the need for accountability at all levels.
Moreover, the court discussed security upgrades within prisons, noting delays in the installation of jammers, AI-enhanced CCTV, and body-worn cameras due to funding issues—an explanation that led the Advocate General of Punjab to assure that necessary funds would be allocated within ten days.
The judiciary’s proactive measures also extended to improving communication facilities for inmates to reduce the desperation that might drive the smuggling of mobile phones. A deadline has been set for these implementations, with the Additional Director General of Police (Prisons), Punjab, required to file a detailed affidavit on the progress.
