The decision to suspend these officers comes after a Special Investigation Team (SIT) found that the interview, conducted via video conference from the Kharar CIA police station, raised serious concerns about security protocols.

The Punjab government took action in response to the controversial 2022 interview with gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, which was conducted while he was in police custody. Seven police officers were suspended for alleged negligence and misconduct.

Among those suspended are two deputy superintendents, 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 Constable (LR) Om Prakash

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

The suspended officers were accused of allowing the interview, sparking widespread criticism of the police’s handling of the situation. The Punjab Home Department registered a First Information Report (FIR) on January 5, 2024 at the State Crime Police Station Phase 4, Mohali. The FIR includes several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC): 384 (extortion), 201 (destruction of evidence), 202 (concealment of information), 506 (threat), 116 (abetment of crime) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy). Further, 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). As a result, the Punjab Police suspended seven officers involved.

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