HC asks Punjab DGP for details of banned songs glorifying violence

The Punjab Government in November 2022 ordered a complete ban on public display of weapons in songs glorifying violence. Punjab is popular for its songs celebrating the gun culture and concerns have been raised over its adverse impact on society.

The court asked the number of live or public shows that received complaints for this reason from the public or from the police.

The Bench of Justice Harkesh Manuja has sought a detailed affidavit from Punjab government, on various issues, after it noticed that in the earlier two affidavits the information provided has only been provided in “bits and pieces”.

Previously, the Punjab government had told the High Court that 34,768 Arms Licences were issued in Punjab from 2019 to 2023, and a maximum of 4,928 Arms Licences were issued only in Gurdaspur district, the Punjab Government has told the High Court.

The court has sought the affidavit from Punjab while hearing the anticipatory bail plea of an accused, Gurbhej Singh alias Bheja, in a case of attempt to murder and Arms Act.

The HC had earlier noted that “despite a ban by Punjab Government, the use of firearms in marriages and in public functions is widespread”, and thus had asked the DGP to file his own affidavit in the matter.

Justice Manuja further has sought information in affidavit from Punjab DGP on “whom do you refer to as ‘anti-social elements’ and what is the criteria for defining anti-social elements. The judge asked whose subjective satisfaction was required and sought the basis for determining anti-social elements.

“How many gun houses were found to be fake and without licence and what action have been taken against them?” the High Court asked the DGP.

The court also sought details on the FIRs registered for the use and display of firearms in public, religious places, marriage parties and other gatherings, including on social media.

It asked for the number of cases in which recommendations were sent for cancelling licences to the district magistrate on this account.

“Why the procedure being followed for approval of licence for guns is different in different districts? For example, Police Commissionerate, Ludhiana, is following the Sanjh Portal but other districts are not following the same. What are the state guidelines for the same? Why one common portal is not being used in the entire State?”

With respect to fake arms licence rackets, the HC asked the government about the steps being taken at the state level to curb the issue. “How many such rackets have been identified which are operating in the State of Punjab and what action has been taken against them including registration of FIRs,” it asked.