Lawrence Bishnoi jail Interview: Punjab gives approval for dismissal of DSP Gursher Singh; file sent to PPSC
PTC Web Desk: The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday conducted a hearing in the case related to Lawrence Bishnoi jail interview while in Punjab Police custody. The case has sparked significant political and legal debates, raising questions about the integrity of police officials and the functioning of Punjab's jails.
The Punjab Government informed the Punjab and Haryana High Court that the dismissal process for Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Gursher Singh had begun, following a report from the Special Investigation Team (SIT) that linked the officials' misconduct to the infamous interviews. The government has sent Gursher Singh’s file to the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) for further action.
The interviews, which were broadcast earlier this year, have ignited widespread controversy due to the involvement of several police officials and questions about the circumstances surrounding the interviews. These concerns were addressed by the High Court, which sought clarifications about statements made by the Punjab DGP regarding the location of the interviews.
When Lawrence's interview controversy first surfaced, the DGP had publicly stated that the interview did not take place in Punjab, a claim that has now come under scrutiny. The court questioned the basis for this assertion, noting that the department overseeing prisons does not fall under the purview of the DGP. The court further expressed dismay over the haste with which the DGP had cleared Punjab's prisons of any wrongdoing, suggesting that if mistakes had been made, they should be acknowledged.
The SIT has not identified any direct role of SSPs involved in the incident, but the court noted that the SSP of the district concerned had been removed from their position following the interviews. The government lawyer argued that the officials had been reassigned, and no further action was necessary. However, the court also raised questions about the length of time Lawrence had been held at the CIA Kharar, emphasising that an investigation into his extended detention there was required.
Lawrence's first interview, aired on March 14, 2023, became particularly infamous for the gangster's chilling confession about his role in the murder of singer Sidhu Moosewala. Lawrence claimed that Moosewala had been involved in gang wars rather than pursuing a career in music. He further implicated Moosewala in the murder of Akali leader Vicky Middukhera, citing that the singer's involvement in the killing was one of the reasons for his own assassination. This interview, given while Lawrence was in the custody of CIA Kharar, was a key point in the investigation.
In a later interview, Lawrence provided even more shocking details, claiming to have conducted the interview from within his prison cell, showing his barrack and pointing out that, despite being confined, he was able to receive mobile phones from outside. Lawrence explained that mobile phones were smuggled into the jail, often thrown over the walls, and occasionally confiscated by the jail staff. However, he asserted that, in most cases, the phones made it through, allowing him to make calls at night when jail staff were less vigilant.
Following the interviews, several police officials, including DSP Gursher Singh and Sammer Vaneet, and several sub-inspectors and head constables, have been held accountable for the security breach. The state police action followed the SIT’s investigation, which revealed that the interview occurred under suspicious circumstances within the CIA Kharar facility.
In contrast, the Rajasthan Police is handling the investigation into Lawrence's second interview, which took place in September 2023 while he was housed at the Jaipur Central Jail. This interview also raised questions regarding the security protocols in place at the jail, with concerns about the ease with which inmates appeared to be able to access communication tools.
The Punjab Police initially denied any knowledge of Lawrence’s interviews, with DGP Gaurav Yadav holding a press conference to claim that the interviews had not taken place in any of Punjab’s jails. However, photographs of Lawrence, showing him with freshly cut hair and without his beard, raised suspicions that he had been transferred from a facility where he had been held earlier.
- PTC NEWS
