Action initiated against ‘delinquent officials’ in Lawrence Bishnoi jail interview case, HC told
Nearly 10 months after "known criminal" Lawrence Bishnoi’s in-custody interview “glorifying crime and criminals" was flagged as a matter of grave concern, the Punjab and Haryana High Court was on Tuesday informed that appropriate action has been initiated against delinquent officials.
The Bench was also told that misconduct, negligence and dereliction of duty by the officers concerned had already been brought to the Punjab government’s notice.
As the matter came up for resumed hearing, an affidavit by Special Director-General of Police, Punjab State Human Rights Commission-cum-SIT head Prabodh Kumar was placed before the Bench of Justice Anupinder Singh Grewal and Justice Lapita Banerji.
Among other things, it said investigation in the FIR registered in the matter on January 5 at a police station in Mohali stood completed and final investigation report under Section 173 of the CrPC had been filed on October 9.
The Bench observed a self-contained note had been annexed with the affidavit indicating misconduct, negligence and dereliction of duty by the officers concerned. The note had also been sent to Administrative Secretary, Punjab, Department of Home Affairs and Justice.
“We appreciate the commendable efforts made by the SIT headed by Prabodh Kumar, IPS, in conducting the investigation as well as preparing the note pointing to the negligence and dereliction of duties of the officers,” the Bench asserted.
Before parting with the case, the Bench took note of amicus curiae Tanu Bedi’s prayer for time to examine the affidavit and to apprise the court whether the report of a high-powered committee, earlier set up by the state, suffered from lapses “which were deliberate or intentional in not taking the matter to its logical conclusion”.
The Bench in December last had directed the registration of two FIRs to be probed by the SIT while observing that Bishnoi was involved in 71 cases in Punjab and convicted in four matters, including offences under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Section 302 of the IPC and extortions.
