Mumbai Police Hindered by Central Order in Lawrence Bishnoi Case
Mumbai Police face obstacles in interrogating gangster Lawrence Bishnoi due to a central government directive preventing his transfer from Gujarat Jail.
Lawrence Bishnoi is linked to multiple crimes in Mumbai, including a recent attack on actor Tiger Shroff.
A Union Home Ministry order prohibits his removal from Sabarmati Jail for interrogation.
Bishnoi's gang has threatened further violence if demands related to actor Salman Khan are not met.
Mumbai Police are currently unable to interrogate gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, who has been implicated in several high-profile crimes in the city, including the recent shooting incident involving actor Tiger Shroff. This situation arises from a directive issued by the Union Home Ministry, which bars his transfer from Sabarmati Jail in Gujarat for questioning by law enforcement agencies. The order, enacted in August 2023, aims to maintain public order and prevent potential violence during his transport.
The directive, issued under Section 268 of the Criminal Procedure Code, has been reinforced with recent renewals under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). As a result, Mumbai Police cannot execute standard production warrants or requests for custodial interrogation. Agencies wishing to question Bishnoi must do so via video link or within the confines of the jail, as mandated by a competent court.
Lawrence Bishnoi, who has been incarcerated in Sabarmati Jail since 2023, has been linked to a series of violent incidents, including a conspiracy to assassinate Salman Khan. His gang's recent attack on Tiger Shroff, which occurred on October 18, has intensified scrutiny on Bishnoi. The gang claimed responsibility for the shooting, asserting that it was motivated by Shroff's connections to Khan. Police have since apprehended three suspects involved in the incident, who were reportedly planning to flee to Nepal.
The implications of this situation extend beyond the immediate case, as it raises concerns about the effectiveness of law enforcement in dealing with organized crime. Many officers argue that virtual interrogations are insufficient for extracting critical information from hardened criminals. Consequently, police efforts have been limited to apprehending lower-level associates of Bishnoi's gang, rather than securing direct testimony from the gangster himself.
As the investigation unfolds, political ramifications are also emerging. Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal has called on Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to seek the withdrawal of the BNSS protection granted to Bishnoi. The ongoing challenges faced by Mumbai Police in this case highlight the complexities of navigating organized crime and the legal frameworks that govern criminal investigations in India.
