In a major development, the Punjab government has dismissed DSP Gursher Singh Sandhu from service for allegedly facilitating the recording of an interview with notorious gangster Lawrence Bishnoi while he was in police custody. The decision was made following an extensive investigation by a special investigation team (SIT) that confirmed the officer's involvement in allowing the interview, which was aired by a private news channel in March 2023. The dismissal order was issued by Gurkirat Kirpal Singh, the Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs, under the provisions of Article 311 of the Constitution, which permits such actions for serious misconduct.

The interview, which was aired on television, raised concerns regarding the glorification of crime and criminals, especially since Bishnoi is a key accused in the 2022 Sidhu Moosewala murder case. According to the findings of the SIT, the interview was conducted while Bishnoi was under the custody of the CIA, Kharar, and was facilitated by Sandhu, a Punjab Police Service (PPS) officer. The investigation, which was prompted by the Punjab and Haryana High Court, revealed that the interview was recorded at a time when the gangster should not have had access to media or mobile phones, as per standard police protocols.

The SIT’s report submitted in July 2024 concluded that Sandhu's actions were a violation of Punjab Police's discipline and conduct rules. His failure to perform his duty properly during the incident severely impacted the image of Punjab Police. The court had been investigating the matter as part of a suo motu case concerning the unauthorized use of mobile phones by prisoners on jail premises.

Following this investigation, Sandhu was placed under suspension on October 25, 2024, and a charge-sheet was issued against him. However, the state government determined that it was not feasible to conduct an inquiry due to the non-cooperative behavior exhibited by the officer during the investigation. Punjab's dismissal orders concluded that Sandhu had neglected his duties and engaged in gross misconduct, leading to the damage of the police force's reputation.

Lawrence Bishnoi, whose interview sparked this controversy, is a prominent criminal who has been associated with several high-profile cases, including the Sidhu Moosewala murder. The Punjab government took swift action in this case after the SIT report linked the interview to a breach of police conduct. In addition to Sandhu's dismissal, earlier this year, seven police officials were suspended in connection with the recording of Bishnoi’s interview.

This incident highlights a growing concern regarding the use of media access in police custody and its impact on the public image of law enforcement. The Punjab government's swift action is seen as a step toward maintaining discipline and ensuring that police officers adhere strictly to the rules of conduct. The government's decision to invoke Article 311 in this matter demonstrates its commitment to upholding discipline within the police ranks and ensuring that such incidents do not occur in the future.

As the SIT investigation progresses, further measures are expected to be implemented to prevent the misuse of police custody for media interviews, and the government has vowed to continue its efforts to maintain integrity within the police force.

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