The Supreme Court on Monday gave the Centre a week’s time to decide on a plea for security raised by the family of a road rage victim killed in 2011 by the son of N Biren Singh, the Chief Minister of BJP-ruled Manipur.
With the State willing to provide security but the family reluctant to move out of Delhi where they are currently hiding fearing threat to their life, the Vacation Bench of Justices AK Sikri and Deepak Gupta directed the Centre to consider providing them security in Delhi. The Bench posted the matter for hearing on June 5.
Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Maninder Singh who appeared for the Centre informed the Bench that the request of the petitioner was under consideration of the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Ministry had sought response from the State Government to assess the threat perception following which a decision will be taken, Singh said.
ASG Singh sought to play down the petitioner Irom Chitra Devi’s request for security. He said that the incident happened in 2011 and suddenly hype has been generated in the matter after a lawyer appearing for the petitioner alleged threat to his life. The Bench remarked, “Go by common sense. Nobody is going to make such a serious allegation the Chief Minister of a State unless there is substance in it.”
The Bench told the Centre, “If they are asking for protection, it must be given.”