Punjab & Haryana HC orders further probe into Lawrence Bishnoi interview inside police station
Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed a fresh investigation into the circumstances under which gangster Lawrence Bishnoi was provided with a studio-like setting at CIA Staff Kharar police station for an interview aired on ABP News. The suo motu proceedings arose from concerns about inmates’ access to electronic devices and the possibility of glorifying crime through such media appearances.
A Bench comprising Justices Anupinder Singh Grewal and Lapita Banerji expressed serious concerns over senior Punjab police officers allegedly allowing Bishnoi, a suspect in singer Sidhu Moosewala’s murder, to use official facilities for the interview, conducted in March 2023. The Court noted that the interview might have been staged as part of a conspiracy involving police personnel, with possible violations under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The Court criticised the SIT's decision to file a cancellation report and ordered the formation of a new team led by Prabodh Kumar, Special DGP of the Punjab State Human Rights Commission. This team will investigate potential criminal conspiracy, abetment, forgery, and other offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act and Information Technology Act. The SIT must report back within six weeks.
The Court also highlighted irregularities, including the provision of Wi-Fi at the CIA premises for the interview and the apparent forging of official records, suggesting a cover-up or external influence. It questioned why senior officials had not been held accountable, emphasising that action against higher-ranking officers was necessary.
The DGP has been ordered to submit an affidavit addressing the interview's location and detailing why Bishnoi remained at CIA Staff Kharar for an extended period. Additionally, any online reposts of the interview must be removed immediately.
Advocate Tanu Bedi serves as Amicus Curiae, with representation from various state and Union government counsels in the matter.
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DHL cargo plane crashes in Lithuania
Vilnius (AP/PTI): A DHL cargo plane crashed Monday morning near the Lithuanian capital.
The Lithuanian airport authority identified the aircraft as a “DHL cargo plane flying from Leipzig, Germany, to Vilnius Airport.”
It posted on the social platform X that city services including a fire truck were on site.
DHL Group, headquartered in Bonn, Germany, did not immediately return a call for comment.
