Gangster Bishnoi fears Dubey-like encounter, moves High Court

Source:-https://www.tribuneindia.com

Alleged gangster Lawrence Bishnoi today moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking directions for handcuffing him if he was brought to Chandigarh on a production warrant after expressing “genuine apprehension” of elimination in an encounter “as done in the infamous case of Vikas Dubey”.

Appearing before the Bench of Justice Gurvinder Singh Gill through video-conferencing, his counsel Prateek Gupta contended that the petitioner was confined in Bharatpur jail in Rajasthan for the past about five years. He said the petitioner, as such, was required to be interrogated in Rajasthan. In alternative, he be kept handcuffed if required in Chandigarh, Gupta added, while seeking directions for securing his life.

Gupta also sought directions for dispensing with his physical presence in connection with the investigation of an FIR registered on May 31 at the Sector 34 police station for attempt to murder, house trespass and other offences under Sections 452, 307 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code, besides provisions of the Arms Act. Gupta also suggested interrogation through video-conferencing.

Gupta submitted that the petitioner was actively involved in politics while in college. He was active even thereafter. As a result, he had political rivalry and was involved in a large number of cases in Haryana and Punjab. He was now sought to be nominated as an accused in some FIRs in Chandigarh as well.

UT public prosecutor AM Punchhi submitted that the petitioner had himself suggested that he might be brought handcuffed and the state certainly had no objection to it. His safety would be ensured under all circumstances.

Before parting, Justice Gill directed Punchhi to furnish details of measures proposed to be taken in case the petitioner was to be brought to Chandigarh. He was also asked to give details of the manpower and vehicle deployment, besides specifying “whether any arrangement is possible for video-recording the entire transit”.