Supreme Court to hear PM's security breach matter on Friday

Satya Prakash

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 6

A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s security was breached in Ferozepur in Punjab, a petition in the Supreme Court on Thursday demanded a thorough probe into it.

Senior advocate and former Additional Solicitor General Maninder Singh mentioned the petition by ‘Lawyer’s Voice’ before a three-judge Bench led by CJI NV Ramana for urgent hearing.

The Bench, which also included Justice Surya Kant and Justice Hima Kohli, asked the petitioner to serve a copy of his petition to the Punjab Government and posted it for hearing on Friday.

The security breach had happened on Wednesday when Modi was on his way to address a BJP rally and his cavalcade had to take a U-turn after some protesters blocked his way. The Prime Minister was reportedly stuck on a flyover for around 20 minutes.

Terming it an “unacceptable” and “serious lapse” on the part of the Punjab Government and the state police, Singh said it needed to be thoroughly investigated under the supervision of the top court.

The petitioner wanted the top court to pass orders to fix responsibility of Punjab Chief Secretary and the state’s DGP and place them under suspension; and direct the Centre to initiate departmental action against them.

It sought a direction to the Bathinda District Judge to take possession of all evidence relating to police and security bandobast for the Prime Minister’s visit.

As Singh mentioned the issue of breach in the security of the Prime Minister and sought an urgent hearing,  the CJI asked, “What is it that you are expecting from us?”

Singh said, “It’s extremely relevant to ensure it does not happen again and responsibility for this lapse should be fixed. A professional and effective investigation is needed into the bandobast.”

He requested the Bench to direct the Bathinda District Judge to take into custody entire records of the deployment of Punjab Police in connection with the Prime Minister’s visit and produce before it.

“After the records are submitted by the district judge, Your Lordships may decide what steps are to be taken,” Singh submitted.

The petitioner wondered how private persons were given access to the PM’s route and were instigated to block his route. “It is clear from the events that private persons were given access to the Prime Minister’s route, and other persons were instigated to join the blockade, which represents a serious and unpardonable breach of national security by the State apparatus and the political establishment of the State,” the petitioner submitted.

“Considering the prevalent situation, which clearly has a national security implication, the highest standard of security arrangements was imperative and as per protocol, the car for the Chief Secretary and DGP or their nominees of the visiting state is earmarked and supposed to join the motorcade. However, as per the reports, neither chief secretary/representative nor DG/representative joined the motorcade during the movement of the Prime Minister.” the petition pointed out.