The Punjab-Haryana High Court has strongly criticized the Punjab government for not taking action against the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) concerning the controversial interview of Lawrence Bishnoi conducted during police custody. The court emphasized that lower-level officials should not be made scapegoats and directed that action be taken against the SSP by the next hearing. Failing this, the Home Secretary will have to appear before the court. The court remarked that the interview glorified criminal activities.
The High Court was hearing a suo motu case regarding security arrangements in prisons, during which two interviews of Lawrence Bishnoi surfaced online. The court expressed surprise over how a person in police custody could give an interview. The Punjab government had initially formed a committee to investigate the matter, but it failed to yield any conclusions. In March 2023, the DGP claimed in a press conference that the interview did not occur in Punjab. Subsequently, the High Court formed a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT).
The SIT’s report revealed that the interview took place at the CIA (Criminal Investigation Agency) office in Kharar. The High Court had ordered the Punjab government to act on this matter. While actions were taken against the DSP, an inspector, and other staff, the court questioned why senior officials, including the SSP, had not been suspended.
