Mohali court rejects Punjab cops' plea against polygraph test in Lawrence jail interview case
PTC Web Desk: In a major development in the controversial interview case of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, the Mohali court has dismissed the petition filed by five Punjab Police personnel seeking exemption from undergoing a polygraph (lie detector) test. This decision paves the way for the cops to now undergo the polygraph procedure, although they still have the option to challenge the order in the High Court.
The petitioners had earlier argued that they were coerced into giving consent for the polygraph test and claimed that the approval was not voluntary. They stated that they were under immense pressure when they initially agreed to undergo the test.
According to reports, six police personnel—Mukhtiar Singh, constable Simranjit Singh, constable Harpreet Singh, constable Balwinder Singh, constable Satnam Singh, and constable Amritpal Singh—had earlier consented to undergo polygraph tests, and their initial statements were recorded. However, they later moved the Mohali court to withdraw that consent.
Their legal representative, Advocate Sultan Singh Sangha, informed the media that a senior IPS officer of ADGP rank was present in court at the time of consent, which created an atmosphere of pressure. He also pointed out that no legal counsel was present with the police officials when they gave their consent.
Sources said investigating agencies suspect internal collusion in the jail that allowed the interview to take place. The polygraph test is aimed at uncovering whether any jail staff or police personnel facilitated Lawrence Bishnoi’s access to the media.
After the Punjab and Haryana High Court intervened in the matter, the Punjab Government took swift action. Six Punjab Police personnel., including DSP Gursher Singh Sandhu, were suspended. They were found guilty of negligence and misconduct that led to the recording of an interview with gangster Lawrence Bishnoi on April 3, 2022, while he was in CIA police station Kharar custody.
The first interview of Lawrence Bishnoi aired on March 14, in which he openly confessed to orchestrating the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala. Lawrence claimed that Moosewala was getting involved in gang wars and had a role in the murder of his college friend and Akali leader Vicky Middukhera. According to the SIT report, this interview was conducted while Bishnoi was in CIA custody.
In a second interview, conducted from a jail in Rajasthan, Bishnoi showed his barrack on camera and explained how he gains access to mobile phones inside prison. He revealed that mobile phones are often thrown over the jail walls, and while jail staff sometimes intercept them, many still reach him.
Bishnoi also stated that "he makes calls at night because there are fewer guards on duty, giving him better opportunities to communicate with the outside world".
- PTC NEWS
