Setback for Punjab govt: HC quashes DSP Gursher Sandhu’s dismissal in Lawrence Bishnoi interview case
HC sets aside Punjab govt order dismissing DSP Gursher Sandhu in the Lawrence Bishnoi jail interview case. Read what led to the ruling
PTC Web Desk: In a significant legal setback for the Punjab Government, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has quashed the dismissal order against former Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Gursher Singh Sandhu, who was sacked in January 2025 over his alleged role in facilitating gangster Lawrence Bishnoi's controversial jail interview.
The controversy dates back to March 2023, when a private television channel aired two interviews of Lawrence Bishnoi — the prime accused in the May 2022 murder of singer Sidhu Moosewala. According to a Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the High Court, the first interview was recorded while Bishnoi was in the custody of the Central Investigation Agency (CIA) at Kharar, Mohali, and the second was conducted in a Jaipur jail. The SIT report, headed by Special DGP Prabodh Kumar, concluded that Sandhu had facilitated the recording of the interview during Bishnoi's custody at CIA Kharar.
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In October 2024, Sandhu was placed under suspension along with six other police officials in connection with the case. On January 2, 2025, the Punjab government's Department of Home Affairs, under Secretary Gurkirat Kirpal Singh, issued orders dismissing Sandhu from service. The government invoked Article 311(2)(b) of the Constitution, which allows dismissal without a formal departmental inquiry, stating that a regular inquiry was "not reasonably practicable" given Sandhu's alleged "non-cooperative attitude."
The order stated that Sandhu had "severely dented the image of Punjab Police" through misconduct, negligence and dereliction of duty.
Sandhu approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court shortly after his dismissal, arguing he had been made a "scapegoat" to shield those actually responsible for the interview. His petition contended that he was never provided the chargesheet or supporting documents needed to respond to the show-cause notice. That he was dismissed without being given a fair opportunity to present his defence, violating principles of natural justice.
"The state failed to follow the Punjab Civil Services (Punishment and Appeal) Rules, 1970, and the Punjab Police Rules, 1934," he had alleged.
He also alleged that the SIT investigation was still ongoing when the dismissal was ordered, undermining its basis.
The High Court initially declined to stay the dismissal order in January 2025 but issued notice to the state government and sought a detailed response. The case saw multiple hearings before different benches.