Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday strongly criticized the Centre, accusing it of giving “VIP treatment” to gangster Lawrence Bishnoi in Gujarat’s Sabarmati Central Jail. His remarks came just days after Union Home Minister Amit Shah condemned gangster activities during a visit to Punjab.

Speaking to reporters as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government completed four years in Punjab, Mann said the Centre appeared more concerned about Bishnoi’s security than about tackling gangsterism. He alleged that the Ministry of Home Affairs had issued an order stating that state investigative agencies could question Bishnoi only inside Sabarmati Jail and nowhere else.

Mann said that during his recent visit to Punjab, Shah had spoken strongly about gangsters, drugs and religious conversions at a rally in Moga, but at the same time Bishnoi was being provided special facilities in jail. He added that such “double standards” would not be acceptable.

Notably, Lawrence Bishnoi is one of the key accused in the 2022 killing of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala. Mann also said that the Punjab Police wants to bring Bishnoi’s associate Anmol Bishnoi for questioning in connection with the case.

Responding to questions about bringing gangsters back from abroad to face the law, Mann said the Punjab government is in contact with the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of External Affairs. He said red corner notices have been issued against criminals operating from foreign countries. According to him, a gangster was recently detained near the Ukraine border, and efforts are underway to bring him back to India.