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The Punjab Police has taken disciplinary action against seven of its personnel, including two Deputy Superintendent rank officers, following an investigation into an interview of notorious gangster Lawrence Bishnoi while he was in their custody. This decisive move underscores the seriousness with which the state authorities are treating potential breaches of protocol and security lapses within their ranks.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT), established by the Punjab Police and headed by the special director general of police (human rights), conducted a thorough probe into the circumstances surrounding Bishnoi's interviews. The SIT's findings revealed that one interview was conducted while Bishnoi was in the custody of the Punjab Police in Mohali's Kharar, while the second interview took place in Rajasthan.
The suspension of the seven personnel stems directly from the SIT's conclusion that these individuals exhibited dereliction of duty during the interviews. The Punjab home secretary issued an order on October 25, 2024, specifying the suspended officers: SP Gursher Singh Sandhu, DSP Sammar Vaneet, Sub-Inspector Reena (CIA Kharar), Sub-Inspector Jagatpal Jangu, Sub-Inspector Shaganjit Singh, assistant Sub-Inspector Mukhtiar Singh, and head constable Om Parkash.
The home secretary's order explicitly referenced the SIT's report, which detailed the circumstances of Bishnoi's interview broadcast on a private TV channel. The interview, conducted through video conference on the intervening night of September 3 and 4, 2022, raised serious concerns about security protocols and potential breaches within the police force. The SIT's report, submitted to the Punjab and Haryana High Court in July, was part of a suo motu matter related to the use of mobile phones by inmates on jail premises.
Bishnoi's notoriety stems from his involvement in several high-profile criminal cases, notably the 2022 murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala. The interviews, conducted by a private news channel in March 2023, raised questions about the possibility of collusion or negligence on the part of the police officers involved. The first interview took place on the premises of the CIA (crime investigating agency) staff in Kharar, while the second occurred during Bishnoi's incarceration at the Central Jail in Jaipur.
The Punjab Police's swift and decisive action in suspending the seven officers demonstrates their commitment to maintaining high standards of professionalism and accountability within their ranks. The suspension serves as a clear message that such lapses in protocol will not be tolerated and will be met with appropriate disciplinary measures. The ongoing investigation into the Bishnoi case underscores the critical importance of maintaining robust security protocols and safeguarding the integrity of the criminal justice system.
Source: Lawrence Bishnoi interview: Seven Punjab Police personnel suspended