The Punjab and Haryana excessive court docket has stated that Punjab State Human Rights Fee particular director common of police (DGP) Prabodh Kumar will proceed to move the SIT shaped to analyze the case of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi’s interview given in Punjab Police custody.
The state authorities had earlier arrange a high-powered committee in March 2023 comprising of the particular DGP, STF and the ADGP, prisons to investigate into the matter of the telecast of the interviews. (Getty Photos/iStockphoto)
In the meantime, the Punjab authorities knowledgeable the court docket that it has just one DGP empaneled by the central authorities, whereas the remainder are on the degree of further DGP.
A division bench of the Punjab and Haryana excessive court docket acknowledged that it’s within the curiosity of justice that Prabodh Kumar, continues to move the SIT, being properly acquainted with the subject material of the investigation as he has been heading the SIT from its inception in January 2023 whereas there was a change of different members of the SIT. In addition to, he’s the one police officer at the moment within the Punjab Police, who’s empanelled by the Authorities of India as director common of police.
“Therefore, we direct that Prabodh Kumar shall continue to head the SIT. He shall be paid an honorarium of ₹1.5 lakh per month and shall be provided necessary secretarial assistance. He would also retain the security cover, and the official vehicle provided to him. The Punjab DGP is also directed to provide him with any other assistance as and when required by him,” stated the court docket.
The court docket additionally remarked that taking companies of a retired police officer or every other retired personnel is to not be usually resorted to since within the state involved, there may be at all times no dearth of competent and ready officers, therefore every time the court docket finds it essential to take help of companies of the retired officers or personnel, it must be with crucial warning and resorted to solely when there are very legitimate and unavoidable circumstances.
The state authorities had earlier arrange a high-powered committee in March 2023 comprising of the particular DGP, STF and the ADGP, prisons to investigate into the matter of the telecast of the interviews.
On November 9, 2023, the excessive court docket had expressed grave concern as to how a suspect in police or judicial custody, had managed to be interviewed at size and had, due to this fact, directed that the officer(s), who had facilitated or permitted the interview be recognized, and brought to process on the earliest.
Earlier, on January 16, the bench of Justice Anupinder Singh Grewal and Justice Lapita Banerji had noticed, “Amicus Curiae submits that the court should issue directions for Prabodh Kumar’s continuance as head of the SIT, while advocate general, Punjab, submits that another officer be appointed in his place. We will examine this issue on the next date.”
The case revolves round a controversial interview of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, which was recorded whereas he was in custody of Punjab Police. The interview, which surfaced on social media in March 2023, raised critical issues about safety lapses and the alleged affect Bishnoi wielded even whereas being detained. The video led to questions on how such an interview was carried out beneath police supervision and whether or not officers had been complicit.
The Punjab authorities had dismissed deputy superintendent of police (DSP) Gursher Singh Sandhu from companies on the costs of facilitating the TV interview of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, aired by a channel, whereas in custody of CIA Kharar in March 2023.