'I was made a scapegoat': HC notice to Punjab over dismissed DSP Gursher Sandhu's petition challenging termination
PTC Web Desk: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued a notice to the Punjab Government on a petition filed by dismissed Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Gursher Singh Sandhu, challenging his termination from service. The court has directed the Punjab Government to file a response within a month but has declined to stay the dismissal order.
Gursher Singh Sandhu, who was dismissed following allegations of facilitating an interview of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi during his custody at the Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) in Kharar, has claimed he was made a scapegoat. The Punjab Government’s order, signed by Home Secretary Gurkirat Kirpal Singh, cited gross misconduct, negligence, and dereliction of duty as the reasons for his termination.
The dismissal was finalised after the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) concurred with the state government’s proposal under Article 311(2)(b) of the Constitution, which allows for dismissal without a departmental inquiry in cases where such an inquiry is deemed impracticable.
According to the order, Gursher Singh Sandhu’s failure to perform his duties properly “severely dented the image of the Punjab Police.” The government said "his non-cooperation during the investigation and his evasion of attempts to receive the chargesheet left no option but to affix the notice to his residence".
In his petition, Sandhu argued that the termination was a result of procedural violations and undue haste. Sandhu alleged he was not given a fair opportunity to present his side before the dismissal.
He claimed that he was not provided with complete documentation of the chargesheet, hindering his ability to prepare a defense. "The retired High Court judge-led commission appointed to investigate the matter had not yet submitted its findings, raising questions about the timing of the dismissal.
Gursher Singh Sandhu also contended that an investigation by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Punjab and Haryana High Court was still ongoing and had yet to conclude. He claimed that the SIT findings did not justify his dismissal and alleged that he was targeted unfairly.
The controversy dates back to September 2022, when gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, in custody at CIA Kharar, was allowed to give an interview to a TV channel. The interviews, telecast in March 2023, caused public outrage and led to a high-level investigation.
The SIT, headed by Special DGP Prabodh Kumar, concluded that Sandhu facilitated one of these interviews. While one interview was conducted in Punjab, another took place in Rajasthan. As a result, Sandhu and six other police officials were suspended in October 2022.
The Punjab Vigilance Bureau also launched a disproportionate assets probe against Sandhu, further complicating his case.
During Tuesday’s hearing, the High Court refused to stay the dismissal order but directed the Punjab Government to file a detailed reply within a month. Sandhu argued that his dismissal order should be stayed until the court adjudicates the matter, but this request was denied.
The court took note of Sandhu’s claims, including procedural lapses in his dismissal, but stated that the government’s decision to invoke Article 311(2)(b) appeared prima facie valid.
- PTC NEWS
