The Supreme Court asked the Centre on Thursday to justify the classification of public functionaries and private citizens as VIPs and VVIPs in a democratic polity.
Intrigued by the use of terms ‘very important persons’ and ‘very very important persons’ while allotting security cover to persons other than constitutional functionaries, the bench of Justices GS Singhvi, Ranjana Desai and Kurien Joseph was at a loss to ascertain the origin of these terms. It said, “The issue requires detailed debate on the use of red lights, hooters and sirens by private individuals and so-called VIPs….If our identity emerges in these red lights, it is quite a different scenario.”
With the response expected before the next date of hearing on April 3, the bench told Centre, “We like to be enlightened about the origin of VIP and VVIP and its place in our democratic polity.”
The Court has been examining the question whether security provided to persons not entitled under law violates Article 14 (right to equality) under the Constitution. It had sought responses of states and union territories to provide information relating to number of personnel and financial liability incurred on security provided to private individuals and public functionaries other than the President, Vice-President, Prime Minister, lok Sabha Speaker, Prime Minister, and Chief Justice of India.
On the next date, the Court said it would also focus on the misuse of red light and beacons issued to public functionaries. “People who have been issued red lights for their official car have altered rules by using it on their private vehicles too.” The bench also frowned over the sight of gun-wielding security persons accompanying the VIPs to restaurants, malls, public functions and seminars.
“How will ordinary man live,” the bench asked, pointing out to the intimidating presence of security personnel who remain on guard with the protectee at every place every time.
Even in seminars and conferences organized at high security locations, the bench wondered how policemen in plain clothes managed to “clandestinely” slip in with their sophisticated weapons.