The issue of “jailed” gangster Lawrence Bishnoi’s controversial jail interview took center stage in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Tuesday as the Leader of Opposition and senior Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa demanded a thorough investigation into the matter. Bajwa called for the formation of a committee similar to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to probe the involvement of police officers in facilitating the interview, which has raised serious questions about the integrity of the state’s police force.
Raising the matter during the zero-hour on the second day of the monsoon session, Bajwa expressed deep concern over the impact this case has on Punjab’s reputation. He highlighted the gravity of the situation by recalling the notorious involvement of the Bishnoi gang in the murder of popular Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala. “The case has not only tarnished the state’s image but has also shaken public confidence in the administration’s ability to ensure justice,” he added.
Bajwa highlighted that the infamous Bishnoi gang continues to wield influence, with recent reports of shootings targeting singers even abroad. The controversy reached new heights when a national television channel aired a one-hour interview with Bishnoi, allegedly conducted from inside a Punjab jail. This broadcast has sparked outrage and demands for accountability, as it suggested possible collusion between police officials and the gangster.
He pointed out that when the interview first surfaced, the State Government initially denied that it was conducted in Punjab. However, a report submitted to the Punjab and Haryana High Court by the state’s Special DGP Prabodh Kumar, who was heading a Special Investigation Team (SIT) on the matter, revealed otherwise. The report, submitted in a sealed envelope, indicated that one of the interviews took place at the CIA police station in Kharar, where an SP-level officer allegedly facilitated the interview using his mobile phone.
Bajwa urged the Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan to take the matter seriously. “You have previously sought a report from the state police chief regarding an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) accused of taking bribes from a gangster. But the issue of Bishnoi’s jail interview is far more serious and demands a thorough investigation,” he said.
“The responsibility for this gross misconduct must be fixed, and those involved should face the full force of the law,” Bajwa asserted. He further suggested that Special DGP Prabodh Kumar, who uncovered the involvement of police officials in facilitating the interview, should be tasked with leading the investigation. “This is a matter that goes beyond individual misconduct; it speaks to the very credibility of our law enforcement and judicial processes,” Bajwa added.
Taking a direct swipe at Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who also holds the Home portfolio, Bajwa accused him of failing to take effective action against those responsible. “The Chief Minister has not only been ineffective in addressing this issue but has also misled the public about the details of the case, including regarding the interview’s location,” Bajwa alleged.
