The Supreme Court on Friday directed the Registrar General of the Punjab & Haryana High Court to secure the records about security arrangements made for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent Punjab visit from the State Government, its police, and Central agencies.
A bench headed by Chief Justice NV Ramana also asked the counsel representing Punjab and the Central Governments to ask the committees set up by them separately to probe the lapses during the visit of the Prime Minister to “hold their hands till Monday” when it will hear the plea next.
“Heard counsel for parties. Taking into consideration the arguments advanced, keeping in view that it pertained to the security of the Prime Minister and other issues... As first step, we deem it appropriate to direct Registrar General of Punjab and Haryana High Court to secure records forthwith,” the bench, also comprising justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli, said in the order.
The apex court also directed the Punjab Government, its police authorities and other Central and State agencies to cooperate and provide the entire relevant records immediately to the Registrar General. The bench has now posted the case for further hearing on January 10.
The top court was hearing the plea of organisation “Lawyer’s Voice” seeking a thorough investigation into the breach in Prime Minister’s security in Punjab and ensuring no such event happens
in the future.
The petition has sought preservation of evidence on security arrangements, court-monitored probe and action against “erring” officials of the Punjab Government responsible for the alleged lapse.
Senior advocate Maninder Singh, appearing for the petitioner, said the incident was not “merely a law and order problem” but rather a national security issue, which is covered under the Special Protection Group Act. Opposing the enquiry by Punjab, he said an order has been issued by the State Government forming a committee to enquire into the incident and having regard to the statutory scheme, it cannot be done as it was not the law and order issue alone.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, termed the case of security breach “the rarest of the rare issues which had potential of causing international embarrassment” and appreciated the bench for taking cognizance of the plea. “Whenever the Prime Minister’s cavalcade moves, the DGP of the State concerned is consulted first and only when he clears the cavalcade moves. Here the green signal was given and he did not say there was a blockage,” the law officer said.
The local police were very much enjoying the tea and they did not even inform the “warning car” which moves ahead of the protectee, he said, adding that serious mishap could have happened and this would have led to “international embarrassment”.
The law officer also referred to a video circulated by a banned terrorist organisation and said, “I join the petitioner.” “This is something which ought to have been avoided, it’s sui generis (unique) case of potential international embarrassment,” he said.
Advocate General of Punjab DS Patwalia said the issue was a serious one and the state was also of the opinion it cannot be brushed under the carpet. “Though I have serious issues with the contents of the petition, the state is not taking this issue lightly, there has been a lapse somewhere, and the state is doing everything to look into it,” he said. The committee was constituted by the state and it was not an afterthought as alleged, he said.