DSP dismissed over Bishnoi interview

Nearly a year after “known criminal” Lawrence Bishnoi’s in-custody interview “glorifying crime and criminals” was flagged as a matter of grave concern, the Punjab Government has decided to dismiss Deputy Superintendent of Police Gursher Singh.

The decision follows findings of connivance by certain police officers in the matter. The recommendation, based on the special investigation team’s report, has been forwarded to the Punjab Public Service Commission for further action.

As the suo motu case concerning Bishnoi’s in-custody interview came up for resumed hearing, the Bench of Justice Anupinder Singh Grewal and Justice Lapita Banerji also took a critical view of an affidavit filed by the State’s Director-General of Police, calling it unsatisfactory before seeking his explanation. The Bench was of the opinion that the DGP’s focus was on Punjab’s jails, despite the jail department not being under his authority.

The Bench noted that Bishnoi was confined at the CIA Staff premises in Kharar for five months, while he spent less than two months in judicial custody in Bathinda jail.

The Bench asserted: “The DGP ought to have inquired as to whether the interview had been conducted while the criminal was in police custody, as the period of custody in jails of Punjab was more than the time spent in judicial custody. He is directed to explain why he did not consider the factum of the said criminal being confined on the premises of the CIA Staff, Kharar, for a long period of time.”