The Supreme Court today directed for the formation of a committee headed by a retired Supreme Court judge to probe the recent lapse in the security of Prime MInister Narendra Modi, during his Punjab visit.
As per the SC order, DGP Chandigarh, IG National Investigation Agency, Registrar General and ADGP (security) of Punjab will be a part of the committee. Till a detailed report is submitted by the panel, the Centre and the State will refrain from going ahead with their probe, the SC observed.
The SC bench comprising CJI NV Ramana, Justices Hima Kohli and Surya Kant was hearing a plea by an organisation named “Lawyer’s Voice” which sought an independent inquiry in this matter. Observing that the security lapse was intentional on part of the Charanjit Singh Channi-led Congress government, it demanded the suspension of Punjab Chief Secretary Anirudh Tewari and DGP Sidharth Chattopadhyay.
During the previous hearing, the SC had directed the Registrar General of the Punjab and Haryana High Court to secure and preserve the travel records of the PM’s Punjab visit. The top court indicated that DGP Chandigarh, IG National Investigation Agency and ADGP (security) of Punjab might be included in the committee.
Referring to show cause notices sent to seven state officials, which asked them to respond on why disciplinary action should not be taken against them, Punjab Advocate General DS Patwalia wondered how they were sent. He stated, “On what basis has their finding come? The evidence is not before you? It presumes and premeditated everything against us! I don’t expect a fair hearing, please appoint an independent committee. Hang my officers if they’re at fault”.
Clarifying that these show cause notices were sent before the SC’s order staying the functioning of the probe committees, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta highlighted provisions of the Special Protection Group Act.
Referring to the “Blue Book of the SPG, he said that the DGP was responsible for the implementation of the provisions pertaining to the PM’s protection. On this occasion, he pointed out that the DGP had failed to provide inputs even as the crowds started gathering in the morning. The SG also revealed that no intimation was given to PM Modi’s convoy until it reached the flyover.
Tushar Mehta stressed there was no communication. There has to be communication that there’s a clear road, and if there’s a blockade stop them 4 km away. There was complete intelligence failure, he added.
“This was not an unscheduled travel. The PM was to travel by air on the 5th, but it was intimated to all state agencies that there are climate issues and the PM will travel by route also. There was also a rehearsal” he said.
