Chandigarh, Jan 29: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has sought a comprehensive status report from the Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) regarding the recent surge in targeted killings, shootings, and extortion rackets across the state. In a suo motu proceeding, the court expressed its expectation for a transparent overview of the security landscape, specifically demanding a detailed trail of how extortion money is being moved and invested.
During the proceedings, DGP Gaurav Yadav informed the Bench that the police department has already initiated several measures to identify and apprehend organized crime members. “Several shooters involved in crimes have been identified and brought to book,” the DGP said. He noted that the Punjab Police remains committed to detecting and preventing organized criminal activities, including targeted hits.
The court has mandated the filing of a specific affidavit by February 5, which must document every shooting incident reported since 2023. The Bench particularly requested details on crimes captured via mobile phones or CCTV, the current status of arrests, and the strategies being employed to capture suspects who remain at large.
“There have been several instances where extortion calls have been made, and it is likely that ‘protection’/ransom money has been paid,” the Bench mentioned. The court directly said that the upcoming affidavit must set out the details of recovered ransom and trace the related investments to dismantle the financial backbone of these gangs.
To bolster public safety, the High Court instructed the state to expand its surveillance network by installing CCTV cameras in sensitive urban zones. The Punjab Advocate General assured the court that financial constraints would not hinder this project, noting that the budget for such security enhancements would be sanctioned promptly.
The Bench also addressed the digital presence of criminal elements, ordering the DGP to identify and scrub social media content that promotes violence. “The DGP shall also identify the websites and social media platforms where videos and posts that tend to glorify crime and criminals are being shared,” the court noted. Additionally, the state has been told to increase police patrolling in cities to ensure a visible deterrent to crime.
