The Supreme Court bench, comprising Justices Bela M. Trivedi and Satish Chandra Sharma, has dismissed a plea challenging the FIRs filed against gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. These FIRs were initiated following a directive from the Punjab and Haryana High Court concerning an interview Bishnoi gave to a private TV channel while being held in high-security Bathinda jail.
The High Court’s directive was based on findings from a special investigation team (SIT) probing how Bishnoi, incarcerated in a high-security facility, managed to appear in two televised interviews. The interviews, allegedly conducted over a video call, raised significant concerns about the use of mobile phones by inmates.
Background
Bishnoi, currently detained in Sabarmati jail, is implicated in the murder of Punjab singer Sidhu Moosewala, which occurred on May 29, 2022. Punjab police allege that Bishnoi orchestrated the murder from Tihar jail, where he is held under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, 1999. Bishnoi has approximately 57 FIRs against him, including charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
A plea for an investigation into the interviews was withdrawn from the Punjab and Haryana High Court last year. Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav stated that the interviews were not recorded in any state jails. In March 2023, the Punjab government informed the High Court that a committee had been formed to investigate the interviews’ circumstances.
History
In November 2023, the High Court took suo moto cognizance of the use of mobile phones by inmates. They sought measures to prevent the entry of prohibited items into jails. The court criticised the committee investigating Bishnoi’s interviews for its lack of progress. Subsequently, the ADGP (Prisons) Punjab, a committee member, was directed to investigate Bishnoi’s access to mobile phones in prison. This directive followed a protection plea from a military contractor who alleged threats from Bishnoi during a conference call.
In December 2023, the ADGP (Prison) submitted a report concluding that it was highly improbable. The interviews were conducted in any Punjab jails or when Bishnoi was in police custody within the state. The report also indicated Bishnoi was not in Haryana during the interviews. He was being transported for other cases outside Punjab and Haryana.
The ADGP (Prison) mentioned that authorities have requested the removal of the interview from the public domain. The committee has implemented several security measures. This is including jammers, CCTV cameras, body scanners. Also, boundary nets to prevent mobile phone smuggling, and staff augmentation, as the current workforce operates at 60% capacity.
Observation
The High Court also established a three-member SIT. It was led by Prabodh Kumar IPS, Special DGP of the Punjab State Human Rights Commission. They are to investigate the interviews and determine the officials’ accountability. It directed that FIRs be lodged in connection with the interviews.
