Punjab Govt Dismisses DSP For Facilitating Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi's TV Interview

Chandigarh: The Punjab government has dismissed DSP Gursher Singh Sandhu from service for allegedly arranging a TV interview for gangster Lawrence Bishnoi in police custody. The dismissal order was issued on Thursday by the Secretary of the Home Department, Gurkirat Kirpal Singh under Article 311 of the Constitution. The incident dates back to March 2023 when a private news channel aired two interviews with gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, who is one of the accused in the 2022 murder of singer Sidhu Moosewala. 

The interviews were recorded while Bishnoi was in the custody of the Punjab Police’s CIA unit in Mohali.

An investigation by a special team formed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court found that Sandhu, a Punjab Police Service (PPS) officer, had facilitated the interview. The team reported that the interview, which "tends to glorify crime and criminals," was conducted while Bishnoi was under the police's supervision.

In response to the incident, the Punjab government had already suspended Sandhu in October 2024 and issued a charge sheet against him. The dismissal came after the state government determined that Sandhu had severely damaged the reputation of the Punjab Police through his negligence and misconduct. The dismissal order noted that Sandhu’s actions violated police discipline and conduct rules.

The decision to remove Sandhu from service was approved by the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC), which appoints PPS officers.

Earlier in October, seven police officers were suspended in connection with Bishnoi’s interview. The Punjab government had assured the Punjab and Haryana High Court in November that strict action would be taken against the officers involved. The case is part of a larger investigation into the use of mobile phones by prisoners, with the court monitoring the situation.

The dismissal of DSP Gursher Singh Sandhu is part of ongoing efforts by the Punjab government to address the serious concerns raised by the interview and ensure accountability within the police force.

The Punjab government during the hearing in November had assured the high court that it would take strict action against the delinquent police officers in connection with the interview.