The punjab and Haryana High Court on Wednesday is a set of directures aimed at tackling rising crime and address infras Tructure gaps in Punjab’s jails. Hearing a public interest litigation, the bench of justice Anupinder singh grewal and deepak manchanda calls use of video confection for high-risk prisons and orderly inward invent to examine the allegine. Officers in a controversial interview of gangster lawnoi that appeared to glorify crime.
The court not that the prison inmate calling system had been significantly upgraded, with the number of calling facilities increasing from 357 to 800. Several Jails, ”the court observed.
However, it raised concern over the poor use of video conference systems, party Citing a submission by Punjab’s Principal Sectary (Jails), Bhawna Garg, The Court noted That While 159 Video Conference Setups Are Available Across Jails, they are not being used adequately. The bench directed trial courts acrosum to make maximum use of this facility, observing that it not only reducing the need for police present but also cuts down Significly on Public Expenditure.
The court also flaged a riser in cases of extortion, threats, ransom demands, and targeted kilings, especially after an interview that “Glorified crime and had garnered millions of views.” On August 7, 2024, The Court had directed the punjab dgp to submit data on such crims between march and december 2023.
Now not a “Further Increase in Crime in the Recent Past,” The court directed the DGP to File Affidavit covering the Period from January 1, 2024, to July 15, 2025, 2025, Along with Preventive Steps. The affidavit is also to mention compliance with directions is earlier.
The bench also reviewed the onngoing probe being conducted by a special Investigation Team (SIT) Headed By Retired IPS Officer Prabodh Kumar. It is inducted dhruv dahiya, IPS, Aig (Counter Intelligence), as a new member of the site and reiterated that the team must examine the role of senior officials in enabling the contacts of the contract.
“It is different to believe that the interview could have taken place without the involvement of senior officials, especially when the location of the interview was establed on. The site has been directed to submit a status report with one month.
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Amicus Curiae Tanu Bedi Rised Concerns Over Poor Infrastructure for the site, pointing out that weak wi-fi at the site head’s office was disrupting video proceeds. The advocate general for punjab assured the court that necessary infrastructure would be provided immediatly.
The court was also informed that recruitment for 500 posts of Assistant Superintendents and Wordens has been initiated through the punab subordinate services selection board, whilful recruit for deputment (Jail). Underway Via the Punjab Public Service Commission. Additional personnel is also being engaged from pesco and punjab police (868 to 189 officers) and CRPF (180 to 280 personnel), with the process expected to be completed by NEXTED.
The matter is listed for Further hearing on August 18, with the state directed to file an updated status report by then.