The Punjab government took action on the Lawrence interview case after a lapse of a year and a half, and 7 police officers, including 2 DSPs, were suspended

In a major move, the Bhagwant Mann government in Punjab suspended Superintendent of Police Gursher Singh Sandhu and six other policemen in the Lawrence Bishnoi interview case. They were both found guilty of organizing an interview with gangster Lawrence Bishnoi on April 3, 2022. Lawrence was subsequently placed at the CIA Karar police station. All were suspended on charges of negligence and dereliction of duty.

The interview with Lawrence went viral after being aired on a television channel about a year and a half ago. Since then, the Punjab government and police have been criticized. Apart from Gursher Singh Sandhu, DSP special operations team, Mohali, the other suspended policemen include:

1.Samar Vaneet, PPS, DSP
2.Reena Sub-Inspector, CIA, Kharar
3. Sub-Inspector (LR) Jagatpal Jangu, AGTF
4. Sub-Inspector (LR) Shaganjeet Singh
5.ASI Mukhtiyar Singh
6. HC (LR) Om Prakash

found guilty in investigative report

The Punjab Home Ministry has charged seven policemen on a report of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed under the leadership of Special Inspector General Parbod Kumar of the Punjab Human Rights Commission. Thereafter, the Punjab government ordered a moratorium. Regarding Bishnoi’s interview, the Punjab Police conducted a police investigation on January 5 under Sections 384, 201, 202, 506, 116 and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code and the Prisons Act, 1894 (hereinafter referred to as the “Indian Penal Code”). ”) Section 46 was booked against him in 2024, an FIR was lodged under Prison Section 52(1) (replaced by Section 52(1) of the Punjab Amendment Act, 2011) at the Mohali Police Station State Crime Phase 4.

Also read: Lawrence Bishnoi’s first crime, court acquits him.

The High Court has accepted

Home Secretary IAS Gurkeerat Kirpal Singh, in the order passed on Friday evening, mentioned that the suspended personnel will continue to remain at the DGP office in Chandigarh and will not leave the station without permission from the competent authority. They will receive subsistence allowances in accordance with regulations. The Punjab and Haryana High Court formally constituted the SIT on December 21, 2023, under the chairmanship of Prabodh Kumar IPS and submitted a sealed report to the high court.

DSP Gursher Singh Sandhu was recently booked for forgery, impersonation, misuse of documents and anti-corruption. Based on the complaint of Baljinder Singh Tahla, the Vigilance Directorate has initiated a disproportionate assets (DA) investigation against him.