Punjab and Haryana High Court Quashes Dismissal of DSP in Bishnoi Interview Case

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has set aside the Punjab government's order dismissing Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Gursher Singh Sandhu from service. The action was linked to a probe into televised interviews of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi conducted while he was in police custody.

Sandhu was dismissed on January 2, 2025, following allegations of dereliction of duty and gross indiscipline. The state government had invoked Article 311 of the Constitution to remove him with immediate effect, arguing that his actions had damaged the image of the Punjab Police and violated conduct rules.

The case stems from a special investigation team's findings into two interviews of Bishnoi. According to the probe, the first interview took place on the night of September 2-3, 2022, at the Crime Investigation Agency office within the Kharar police station in Mohali. The SIT report noted that Sandhu and five other personnel were present while Bishnoi was in their security custody, and the interview was allegedly facilitated using a government data dongle's internet connection.

The second interview was conducted at Jaipur Central Jail in Rajasthan on January 2, 2025. The government had also alleged that Sandhu did not cooperate with the departmental inquiry, including efforts to serve him a chargesheet.

The High Court's decision to quash the dismissal orders provides significant relief to Sandhu and raises questions about the legality of the disciplinary proceedings initiated against him.