The Jan Sangharsh Morcha head Raghunath Singh Negi has alleged procedural anomalies in provision of a gunner to provide security to Indian Administrative Service officer D Senthil Pandiyan. He alleged that the directions of the Supreme Court/High Court regarding provision of security have not been observed by the state administration in this case.
Addressing the local media in Vikasnagar, Negi averred that in Pandiyan's case, the state administration expedited the file overnight and issued an order within two days for providing him a gunner for his protection for a period of six months at Government expense, he said,
"On September 27, the principal secretary of home, Anand Wardhan had directed the additional secretary of home to seek a report from the District Magistrate, Senior Superintendent of Police and Director General of police and then submit the necessary documentation.
However, without the report of the District Magistrate/Senior Superintendent of police and the Director General of police, the State administration issued directions to the District Magistrate on September 28 regarding provision of a gunner to Pandiyan. If the officials of the State administration worked this swiftly on public issues, the state would have had a very different identity in the nation. Regarding the provision of security to any person, there are clear directions of the Supreme Court/High Court which State that a threat perception report will be sought and on the basis of this report, a gunner/guard will be provided.
However, in this case, the State administration has not observed this direction," alleged Negi, adding that the Jan Sangharsh Morcha demands that the Governor intervene in the matter.
It is pertinent to mention here that Pandiyan had earlier written a letter to the State administration expressing apprehensions about his and his family's safety. Pandiyan was the Kumaon commissioner when the probe and report revealing a scam in widening of national highway 74 in Udham Singh Nagar district was filed.