LI Network
Published on: November 10, 2023 at 11:42 IST
The Punjab & Haryana High Court has initiated suo moto proceedings to address the issue of inmates using mobile phones within prison premises and has requested information on the measures in place to prevent the entry of such prohibited items.
While sending notices to both the states and the union territory, the division bench, consisting of Justice Anupinder Singh Grewal and Justice Kirti Singh, also paid attention to an interview conducted with gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, who is facing charges in the Siddhu Moosewala murder case. Notably, the interview was conducted while Bishnoi was in judicial custody.
The court expressed significant concern about allowing a suspect in police or judicial custody to conduct a lengthy interview. The bench called for the identification and accountability of the officers who permitted or facilitated the interview.
An ongoing inquiry is being conducted to determine Bishnoi’s location during the interview. The Inspector General of Prisons noted that a two-member committee, comprising the Special Director General of Police, ST, and the Additional Director General of Police, Prisons, had been established in March 2023 to investigate the matter.
The court expressed dissatisfaction with the fact that seven months have passed, and there has been limited progress in the investigation. Consequently, it directed the Additional Director General of Prisons to submit an affidavit explaining the delay in the committee’s report.
The court scheduled the matter for further consideration on November 28.