Taking serious note of targeted killings, shootings and extortion rackets in Punjab, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the Director-General of Police (DGP), Punjab, to place on record a specific and detailed affidavit on shooting incidents reported since 2023, including those captured on CCTV cameras and mobile phones, the arrests made so far, and the steps taken to nab the accused still at large.The directions were issued in a suo motu or court on its own motion case. The Bench made it clear that the court expected a clear picture of the ground situation, including the money trail of extortion proceeds and the steps taken to curb the glorification of crime on social media.In response to the order dated December 24, 2025, DGP Gaurav Yadav appeared before the Bench before submitting that the Punjab Police had taken “several steps to prevent and detect organised crime, including targeted killings and extortion” and that “several shooters involved in crimes have been identified and brought to book”.After hearing all sides, the court held that further accountability was required and issued a series of specific directions. The Bench ordered that the DGP, Punjab, “shall file a specific affidavit setting out the details of the shooting incidents in the State of Punjab, from 2023 till date, with a focus on the incidents which have been captured on CCTV cameras/mobile phones”.The affidavit, the court directed, must also disclose “whether the shooters who are involved in these incidents have been arrested and the steps that have been taken to arrest those who are at large”.Flagging the growing menace of extortion, the court observed “there have been several instances where extortion calls have been made, and it is likely that ‘protection’/ransom money has been paid”. It accordingly directed that the affidavit “shall also set out the details of the extortion money recovered, including the money trail and related investments”.On surveillance and preventive measures, the High Court directed the DGP to “take immediate steps to install CCTV cameras in sensitive places in urban areas in the State of Punjab”. The Bench recorded Punjab Advocate-General’s assurance that “there would be no dearth of finances in that regard and whenever the budget is submitted, the same would be sanctioned at the earliest”.Concerned over the online glorification of crime, the court further directed that 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 and take immediate steps to remove the same forthwith”.The Bench also directed that the DGP “shall also ensure that an adequate number of policemen are deployed for patrolling in urban areas”. The court ordered that the affidavit and status report be filed before the next date of hearing, and directed that the DGP, Punjab, “shall appear before the Court through videoconferencing”. The matters have been listed for further hearing on February 5.