Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi interview: 6 cops to undergo lie detector test

MOHALI: In a significant development in the investigation into interviews of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi in police custody, a local court in Mohali has granted permission for the polygraph test of six Punjab police officers. The officers were all posted at the CIA staff unit in Mohali when the interview was filmed.
The order was passed by judicial magistrate first class (JMIC) Manpreet Kaur (II), who allowed the application filed by the police for conducting the test after securing voluntary consent of the officers involved. ASI Mukhtiar Singh, constable Simranjit Singh, constable Harpreet Singh, constable Balwinder Singh, constable Satnam Singh, and constable Amritpal Singh will now have to undergo polygraph tests.
The court, in its order, stated, "In compliance with the mandatory guidelines issued by the apex court, consent is necessary to ensure voluntariness for undergoing scientific tests. All six officers have agreed to the polygraph test, and their statements have been duly recorded."
The police officers appeared in court along with the public prosecutor and Neelabh Kishore, ADGP (Anti-Narcotics Task Force), Mohali. The polygraph test is part of the ongoing investigation in the case titled State vs Lawrence Bishnoi, registered under Sections 384, 201, 202, 506, 116, 120-B of the IPC and Section 52-A(1) of The Prisons (Punjab Amendment Act), 2011, at the Punjab State Crime Police Station, Phase 4, Mohali.
A special investigation team (SIT), headed by the Special DGP (human rights), had earlier found that one of the interviews of Bishnoi was recorded while he was in Punjab Police custody at the CIA Kharar facility in Mohali, and another in Rajasthan.
The Punjab home department on Oct 25, 2024, suspended several officers, including DSP Gursher Singh Sandhu, DSP Sammar Vaneet, sub-inspector Reena, SI Jagatpal Jangu, SI Shaganjit Singh, ASI Mukhtiar Singh, and head constable Om Parkash in the case.
Subsequently, DSP Gursher Singh Sandhu, a 2016 batch officer, was dismissed from service by the Punjab govt on Jan 2, 2025, for his alleged role in facilitating the interview in Sep 2022, when Bishnoi was held in CIA Kharar facilitry.
His dismissal was carried out under Article 311(2)(b) of the Constitution, which allows termination without departmental inquiry in the interest of state security and public order.
The issue became public after a private news channel aired two interviews of gangster Bishnoi in March 2023, triggering outrage and demands for accountability. The investigation is ongoing, with disclosures expected following the polygraph tests.