SNE NETWORK.CHANDIGARH.
The Punjab-Haryana High Court has strongly reprimanded the Punjab government for not taking action against the SSP yet regarding the interview of Lawrence Bishnoi in police custody. The High Court said that small employees should not be made scapegoats, action should be taken against the SSP till the next hearing or else the Home Secretary should be present in the court. The High Court said that this interview was clearly a glorification of crime.
The High Court was hearing the cognizance case taken regarding security arrangements in the jail. Then two interviews of Lawrence have gone viral in the cognizance of the court. The High Court expressed surprise as to how a person can give an interview in police custody. Then the Punjab government had formed a committee for investigation and the committee failed to draw any conclusion. Meanwhile, in March 2023, the DGP held a press conference and said that the interview was not held in Punjab. Then the High Court constituted a three-member SIT.
The SIT said in the report that Lawrence was interviewed at Kharar CIA police station. The High Court had ordered action against the Punjab government. The Punjab government took action against DSP, inspector and other staff.
Consider reinstatement of suspended employees
When the matter came up for hearing on Tuesday, the court questioned the action of the Punjab government and asked why the higher officials have not been suspended yet. The court said why action was not taken against the SSP. The High Court verbally said that consider reinstating the suspended head constable and constable in this case, do not make them scapegoats.
Retired judge has been given responsibility
The Advocate General said that disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against the higher officials. In this case, the retired High Court judge has been given the responsibility to investigate the higher officials. The High Court asked to suggest a panel of officers for the investigation as the nominated judge has already been assigned other work by the Punjab government.
Was the DGP not aware
The High Court has ordered the Punjab government to submit a copy of the DGP’s press conference held in March 2023, in which he allegedly said that the interview did not take place in Punjab. The court asked whether he did not have the correct information or was he misled. The High Court clarified that if action is not taken against the SSP and other officers till the next hearing, then the Home Secretary will have to be present. In the last hearing, the High Court had said that Lawrence was given studio-like facilities for TV interviews.