High Court seeks Punjab’s reply on DSP Gursher Sandhu’s plea to quash FIR in Bishnoi interview row

The counsel pointed out that Sandhu had earlier approached the High Court in CRM-M-31019-2025, in which the court on June 4, 2025, had directed the state to produce evidence authenticating his alleged complicity. However, the petitioner withdrew that plea with liberty to file a fresh one, as the state had failed to comply with the directions, leading to the present petition.

Accepting notice on behalf of the state, senior advocate Puneet Bali, appearing through video conferencing along with advocate Anmol Chandan, and Deputy Advocate General J S Arora, opposed the submissions made by the petitioner.

After hearing both sides, Justice Bhardwaj directed the state to file an “exhaustive reply taking into consideration the order already passed by this Court dated 04.06.2025”. The matter has been adjourned to November 4 for further hearing.

The case pertains to the airing of a video interview of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, allegedly while being in Punjab Police custody. The Punjab and Haryana High Court took suo motu cognisance in 2023, leading to a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe, which confirmed serious lapses by police officials, including Gursher Sandhu who was later dismissed.