Punjab & Haryana HC Directs State To Increase Navjot Singh Sidhu's Security If Threat Perception Is Found Genuine After Final Assessment

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has directed the authorities in Punjab to take note of the apprehensions expressed by Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu with regard to his safety and take all corrective measures including the provision of suitable security. The court directed the State to pass an appropriate order within a period of one month.“If the threat perception based on the aforesaid pleadings made in para Nos.9 and 11 ( regarding life threat from gangster Lawrence Bishnoi) is found to be on genuine note, then the competent authority shall proceed to take all corrective steps including enhancement of security cover, if any required. This provision however is subject to final assessment to be made by the competent authority on the basis of further inputs to be received from the concerned quarter and after analysing the inputs provided by the petitioner in the aforesaid pleadings in accordance with law,” said the court.Justice Raj Mohan Singh said that since the issue of providing security cover cannot be treated to be a static issue, Sidhu would also be at liberty to provide his inputs to corroborate the pleadings regarding life threat from gang of Lawrence Bishnoi, which had also allegedly murdered Sidhu Moosewala.“On receipt of such inputs from the petitioner, the competent authority shall take appropriate action,” the bench added.The court was hearing the writ petition filed by Navjot Singh Sidhu for the issuance of direction to the State to restore his Z+ security, which was allegedly reduced to Y+ without any notice.“The de-categorization of the security may some time prompt the inimical anti-social elements to take drastic step. It is a case of slashing down Z+ security to Y+, which as per Yellow Book has the provision of 11 security personnels to guard the person and place of the individual,” the court observed.Justice Singh noted that the State, Central Agencies, and the report of assessment done by the competent authority had not attended the two pleadings regarding the security risk claimed by Sidhu.Firstly, the life threat from the gang of Lawrence Bishnoi, and secondly, when Sidhu was in jail on summons received from the Bihar Court, he could not be taken due to the risk involved in leaving Z+ security, the court noted. Directing the State to take appropriate action, the court said, “This is so in the light of fact that the issue of security is a State subject and the Court interference should be minimal.”Case Title: Navjot Singh Sidhu v. State of Punjab and othersCitation: 2023 LiveLaw (PH) 106Appearance: Manjit Singh Khaira, Sr. Advocate with Hanima Grewal, Advocate for the petitioner.Gaurav Garg Dhuriwala, Addl., A.G., Punjab.Click Here To Read/Download Order

Punjab & Haryana HC Directs State To Increase Navjot Singh Sidhu's Security If Threat Perception Is Found Genuine After Final Assessment

Aiman J. Chishti

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