The Punjab government suspends seven officers over the controversial custody battle with Lawrence Bishnoi

The Punjab government has taken action over the controversial 2022 interview of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, which was conducted while he was in police custody. Seven police officers have been suspended for their alleged negligence and dereliction of duty.

The suspended persons include two deputy inspectors, Gursher Singh and Sammer Vaneet, along with several sub-inspectors and a head constable. They were: Sub-Inspector Reena, CIA, Khara, Sub-Inspector (LR) Jagtapal Jangu, AGTF, Sub-Inspector (LR) Shaganjit Singh, ASI Mukhtiar Singh and Head Commissioner (LR) Om Prakash

The decision to suspend these officers comes after a Special Investigation Team (SIT) found that the interview, which was conducted via video conference from the CIA Kharar police station, raised serious concerns over security protocols. The investigation, initiated under the direction of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, found that the interview should not have taken place, leading to questions about the conduct of the Punjab Police.

The suspended officers are accused of allowing the interview to take place, which has sparked widespread criticism of the police’s handling of the situation. The Punjab Home Ministry registered a First Information Report (FIR) on January 5, 2024 at the State Crime Police Station Phase 4, Mohali. The FIR includes various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC): 384 (extortion), 201 (destruction of evidence), 202 (concealment of information), 506 (threats), 116 (incitement to crime) and 120-B ( criminal conspiracy). Moreover, the case was registered under Section 46 of the Jail Act 1894, which was later updated to Section 52 (1) of the Jail (Punjab Amendment Act 2011). Consequently, the Punjab Police has suspended seven officers involved.