Lawrence Bishnoi interview: After HC rap, Punjab Govt issues show-cause notices to four senior cops
PTC Web Desk: In the wake of the Punjab and Haryana High Court's sharp criticism over the controversial interview of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi from jail, the Punjab Government has initiated disciplinary action against the officials involved. The court was informed that show-cause notices have been issued to the then SSP of Mohali, SP, DSP, and CIA in-charge.
Notably, the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Tuesday held a hearing on the interview of notorious gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, who is the mastermind behind the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, conducted while he was in police custody. During the hearing, the Punjab Government informed the court that disciplinary action has been initiated against the officers involved. Show-cause notices have been issued to the SSP, SP, DSP, and the then CIA in-charge. It has been confirmed that the first interview took place at CIA Kharar, while the second interview occurred in Rajasthan.
During the hearing, the Punjab and Haryana High Court inquired about the current positions of the officials who have been issued show-cause notices. The government responded that the disciplinary process has begun, and further action will be taken after their responses are received.
The HC directed that all information provided be submitted in the form of an affidavit. The court specifically questioned the status of Shiv Kumar, the former CIA in-charge of Kharar. The government’s counsel informed the court that he had retired, but was granted an extension. The court demanded a detailed explanation regarding the grounds for the extension.
The first interview with Lawrence Bishnoi was broadcast on March 14, where he openly admitted to orchestrating the murder of Sidhu Moosewala. Bishnoi claimed that Moosewala was increasingly involved in gang conflicts rather than focusing on his singing career. He also alleged Moosewala's involvement in the murder of Akali leader Vicky Middukhera, a close college friend of Bishnoi, which became his motive for ordering Moosewala's killing. According to the SIT report, this interview was conducted while Bishnoi was in the custody of CIA Kharar.
In a second interview, Bishnoi provided evidence of making calls from inside his jail barracks. He claimed he wasn’t allowed to leave the barracks, but had access to mobile phones and signal reception. Bishnoi further disclosed that mobile phones were often smuggled into the jail by being thrown over the walls, with jail staff occasionally intercepting them, though many would still reach him.
Gaurav, the lawyer who filed the petition against the interview, stated during the hearing that it has become clear that there are "black sheep" within the Punjab Police who facilitated the interview. He said such an operation could not have been conducted by an ordinary person and accused the authorities of attempting to cover up the issue from the start.
The High Court has issued a seven-day show-cause notice to SSP Vivek Sheel Soni, SP Amarjeet Singh Brar, and DSP Gursher Singh, with the next hearing scheduled for October 15.
It is pertinent to mention that Lawrence Bishnoi is currently in Gujarat’s Sabarmati Jail, a high-security facility, due to his involvement in a drug trafficking case. Recently, a video recording of him making a video call to a Pakistani don to exchange Eid greetings also went viral.
- PTC NEWS
