The Punjab and Haryana High Court has granted significant relief to dismissed Punjab Police DSP Gursher Singh Sandhu by quashing the Punjab government's orders removing him from service in connection with the controversial Lawrence Bishnoi jail interview case.

Sandhu was dismissed from service on January 2, 2025, after the state government accused him of serious dereliction of duty and gross indiscipline over the televised interview of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi while he was in police custody.

The government had invoked Article 311 of the Constitution to dismiss Sandhu with immediate effect. The dismissal order alleged that the DSP had facilitated arrangements for the interview, resulting in serious damage to the reputation of the Punjab Police.

The authorities also accused Sandhu of violating police conduct rules and failing to properly discharge his official responsibilities. It was further alleged that he had failed to cooperate with the departmental proceedings, including attempts to serve him with the chargesheet and conduct the inquiry.

Lawrence Bishnoi Interview Case

The proceedings against Sandhu stemmed from two televised interviews of Lawrence Bishnoi that became the subject of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe.

According to the SIT findings referred to in the case, the first interview took place during the intervening night of September 2 and 3, 2022, at the Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) office situated within the Kharar police station complex in Mohali.

The SIT report reportedly recorded details regarding the device used for the interview and identified the police personnel present at the location. DSP Gursher Singh Sandhu and five other members of his team were allegedly present while Bishnoi was in their security custody.

The interview was allegedly facilitated through an internet connection provided by a government data dongle.

The investigation further found that the second interview was conducted at Jaipur Central Jail in Rajasthan on January 2, 2025.

Court Grants Relief to DSP

The Punjab government had relied on Sandhu's alleged role in facilitating the first interview to initiate disciplinary action against him, ultimately resulting in his dismissal from service.

The High Court's decision to quash the dismissal orders provides major relief to Sandhu and raises questions over the legality and procedure adopted by the state government while taking disciplinary action against the police officer.

The ruling effectively sets aside the government's orders dismissing Sandhu, bringing significant relief to the former DSP in a case that had attracted considerable public and media attention.