Punjab and Haryana High Court Seeks Data on Crime Rates Following Lawrence Bishnoi’s TV Interview
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) to provide data on criminal cases registered following gangster Lawrence Bishnoi’s televised interview last year. The court is investigating whether there was a rise in crime after Bishnoi’s interview, which was broadcast by ABP News in March 2023. Bishnoi, who is implicated in over 70 cases including the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, made controversial statements about his knowledge of the murder plot during the interview.
During a recent hearing, the division bench of Justice Anupinder Singh Grewal and Justice Lapita Banerji expressed concern after a Special Investigation Team (SIT) reported that one interview was conducted in September 2022 while Bishnoi was at the Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) of Punjab Police. This raised questions about the authenticity of earlier reports which suggested that Bishnoi’s interview might not have taken place while he was in police custody.
The bench criticized the State-constituted Committee’s inconclusive report and warned of serious repercussions if it was found to be misleading. It emphasized that the SIT’s investigation should not be limited to lower-level officials to shield higher officers from accountability.
The court had previously expressed apprehension that Bishnoi’s interview might negatively influence vulnerable individuals and potentially lead to increased criminal activity. To assess this, it has ordered the DGP to file an affidavit detailing the number and nature of criminal cases, particularly those related to extortion, ransom, abductions, and witness intimidation, from March 2023 to December 2023.
Additionally, the court directed the Punjab government to report on improvements in jail security, including the installation of jammers, CCTV cameras, and X-ray scanners.
The matter is scheduled for further hearing on September 5, 2024. Amicus Curiae Tanu Bedi plans to file an application to involve the State of Rajasthan, where a second interview with Bishnoi was conducted.
Representatives for various parties include Advocate Tanu Bedi and advocate Pooja Dahiya, Senior Government Counsel Arun Gosain, Senior Deputy Advocate General Aftab Singh Khara, and Additional Advocate General Ashish Yadav.
(With inputs from agency)
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