HC directs Haryana to frame SOP to dismantle gangster culture

Asserting that gangster culture, particularly in the form of extortion rackets, has emerged as a threat to the social order and justice system, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed Punjab and Haryana to formulate a standard operating procedure (SOP) to dismantle such criminal networks and ensure the safety of citizens.

“A firm hand, with stringent law enforcement and legal measures, is essential to dismantle extortion rackets, deterring future criminal enterprises and safeguarding the moral fabric of society,” the Bench said.

The direction by Justice Harpreet Singh Brar came on a petition seeking protection for his life and liberty. The petitioner told the court that he and his nephew had been receiving life threats from Rohit Godara, “a known gangster affiliated with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang”.

The Bench was told that an FIR was not registered despite repeated representations to the authorities. “For over a year now, the petitioner has been running from pillar to post to have an FIR registered against the culprits, however, to no avail,” the Bench noted.

“The State owes a duty to its citizens to ensure their safety. It is only when security and subsistence are not under threat, can a people truly make progress and build a life for themselves. Further still, the citizens can only be expected to contribute to the society when they live in an environment free of fear. Allowing lawlessness to propagate unchecked undermines the order, and thereby peace, painstakingly maintained by the justice administration mechanism,” it said.

Describing the petitioner’s case as a grim reflection of a growing pattern, the Bench noted: “The story of the petitioner, unfortunately, is one of many. Gangster culture, particularly in the form of extortion rackets, has emerged as a significant threat to the social order in today’s time, fostering an environment of fear and lawlessness. The glorification of violence, the normalization of criminal behaviour, and the recruitment of vulnerable youth into gangs not only perpetuate crime but erode public trust in the justice system.”

The SOP, the Bench indicated, might include the creation of dedicated anti-gang units with adequate training and technological support; surveillance of known gangsters using digital forensic science and financial monitoring with the assistance of financial institutions; intelligence-sharing mechanisms between Punjab, Haryana, and Central agencies to track cross-border operations; establishment of an environment of trust to create networks of informants; implementation of a witness protection programme; and prompt judicial handling of such matters through fast-track courts to prevent evidence tampering.