Petition copy says: the lapse in the security of the Prime Minister was occasioned clearly in connivance with the Punjab Police.
A Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice of India NV Ramana will hear a plea seeking an investigation into the breach in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s security in Punjab on Friday.
Senior Advocate Maninder Singh sought a probe in the matter and termed it a serious lapse. He mentioned the matter before the top court. The plea has sought actions against those who posed a threat to the security of Prime Minister and are responsible for the security lapse and appropriate directions to the Punjab government to prevent such incidents to occur in the future.
The bench of Chief Justice of India, NV Ramana and Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli listed the matter for urgent hearing.
“Serve the copy (of the petition) to the state government. We will take it tomorrow as the first item.”
The Supreme Court bench
Senior Advocate Maninder Singh had sought an urgent hearing of his petition.
“Given the situation in Punjab, there should be a fair probe into the lapse and accountability fixed so that such a situation does not arise again in future. Directions should be passed to the district judge of Bhatinda to take possession of all the evidence on security arrangements made by the Punjab police for the Prime Minister’s visit.”
CJI Ramana asked what does Singh expect from the court and whether the alleged security lapse happened in Bhatinda or Ferozepur.
“We want that such incident is not repeated. The professional and effective investigation was needed into the police ‘bandobast’ under the supervision of the court. It would be appropriate given the atmosphere today. The record has to be taken by the district judge and thereafter your lordships may decide what steps are to be taken. Please consider passing an order today itself.”
The plea filed by “Lawyers Voice” said that the breach in security was intentional and it also raised questions on national security and role of present state government authorities in the incident.
“The overall responsibility for ensuring the safety of the Prime Minister rests with the state government and the responsibility for providing proximate security will rest with the Special Protection Group (SPG) as per the SPG Act 1988. On the contrary, what was shocking and alarming on many levels was that local police personnel on the spot were seen to be participating with the hooligans who jeopardised the security of the Prime Ministry.”
Plea filed by Advocate Maninder Singh stated
Prime Minister’s convoy heading towards Punjab was stopped on a flyover by a large group of protesters in Ferozepur. The cavalcade of the Prime Minister was stuck on the flyover only 10 kms away from Indo-Pak border for over 20 minutes. However, the convoy had to return from poll-bound Punjab without attending any event and the rally.
The plea alleged that people were instigated from the religious places to go to the flyover where the PM was stopped, this represents a serious and unpardonable breach of national security by the state apparatus and the political establishment of Punjab.