Chandigarh, July 18 -- The high court has sought data on cases reported in the state of extortions, ransom calls and target killings between January and July 15. The court observed that in August 2024 also similar data was sought after interviews aired and data submitted by the state indicated an increase in crime after the telecast of the interview. "There appears to be further increase in crime in the recent past, especially relating to extortions, threatening/ransom calls, targeted killings etc," the bench recorded asking the DGP to file details on these crimes reported between January 1 and July 15 and also spell out steps being taken by Punjab to prevent these crimes. The court in these proceedings is also monitoring infrastructural requirements for jails. On this issue, the state has told the HC that requisition for recruitment to posts of assistant superintendents, wardens (500 posts) has been sent to the subordinate selection board. The process for recruitment to the post of DSP, jail, which is to be conducted by the PPSC is underway, the court was told, adding that are also 1000 police personnel and 400 personnel from reserve police, who are being engaged for different duties in jails. As of jail infrastructure, the court was apprised that 800 prison inmate calling system has been put in place and there are about 159 facilities for video conferencing from states jails but it is not being adequately utilised for appearance of high risk prisoners before the trial courts....