Lawrence Bishnoi Interview: Court Orders Fresh Probe

Aakhir Tak – In Shorts

The Punjab-Haryana High Court raised serious questions regarding the police’s role in Lawrence Bishnoi’s interview.
The court ordered a fresh probe, questioning the provision of electronic devices and studio-like setting for the interview.
Several police officials were suspended, but the court noted only junior officers were being held accountable.

Aakhir Tak – In Depth

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ordered a fresh investigation into the 2023 interview of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi by a private channel conducted in Bathinda jail. The court raised suspicions of a potential criminal conspiracy between Punjab police officials and Bishnoi, suggesting that some officers may have colluded with the gangster. The court observed that police officials allegedly provided Bishnoi with electronic devices and a studio-like environment, which may have glorified criminal activities and facilitated extortion attempts by Bishnoi and his associates.

Additionally, the court questioned Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s state government for allegedly scapegoating only lower-level officers. It noted that out of the suspended officials, only two were gazetted officers, while the rest were junior personnel.

Punjab Police recently suspended seven personnel, including two officers of deputy superintendent rank, related to this case. The court also questioned the involvement of former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in-charge Shiv Kumar, who was recently terminated but had been working on an extension. Furthermore, the court demanded more comprehensive affidavits from senior authorities concerning the interview conducted within Punjab’s jail.

The SIT, led by the Special Director General of Police (Human Rights), admitted that two interviews took place, one in Kharar, Mohali, and another in Rajasthan. These revelations have intensified the investigation, with the court calling for a broader probe into police conduct and accountability.