12 Personnel Already Deployed With Her: High Court Refuses To Interfere With Downgrade Of Former Punjab CM Rajinder Kaur Bhattal's Security

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has upheld the Punjab Police decision to downgrade the security of former Punjab Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal from 'Z' category to 'Y'Justice Vinod S Bhardwaj found no basis to disagree with the competent authority's conclusion regarding the security needs of Bhattal.It noted that the authority, after a thorough assessment of the perceived threats and concerns, had found insufficient material to reach at a different conclusion.“Twelve security personnel have already been deployed with the petitioner and this Court does not find any aggravated circumstances on the basis whereof conclusion can be drawn that the above security deployment is not sufficient to ward off any apprehensions the petitioner may have,” the Court said.The Court further said that since the security arrangements made by the State for Bhattal are based on objective appraisal of latest threat inputs, there is no arbitrariness in the decision.“Under the given circumstances, no further directions are required to be issued for up-gradation of security of the petitioner from 'Y' Category to 'Z' Category,” the Court ordered as it dismissed the plea.Bhattal had earlier submitted that she was elected as a Member of Legislative Assembly from the Constituency of Lehra Gaga in 1992 and at that time Khalistan Liberation Force was actively involved in “extremist activities”.She further submitted that it was under that atmosphere she had assumed the post of Education Minister in 1994 and later become first female CM of Punjab after the killing of then CM Sardar Beant Singh.“During her tenure as Chief Minister, she received multiple threats as she was actively involved in tackling the terrorist situation in the State of Punjab and certain explosions also took place at the Lehra Railway Station causing death of 34 persons and injuries to 63 persons as well. Learned counsel for the petitioner argues that during the period from 1994 to 2017 there have been numerous terrorist incidents within and nearby the Lehra Gaga Assembly Constituency to which the petitioner represented and during the last 25 years, she has received multiple threat of elimination,” Bhattal's counsel told the Court.However, the State said Bhattal's security cover was reduced by the Competent Authority as per the security norms, which is within the framework of the State Security Policy and as per the guidelines of "Yellow Book."While refusing to interfere with the competent authority's decision, the Court said Bhattal can submit any other material that she may have in her possession to the authorities for them to carry out an appropriate assessment in accordance with law.Mr. Anirudh Gupta, Advocate for Mr. Amitabh Tewari, Advocate for the petitioner.Mr. Satya Pal Jain, Addl. Solicitor General of India (through V.C.) with Ms. Saigeeta Srivastava, Senior Panel Counsel, for respondent-UOI.Ms. Niharika Sharma, AAG Punjab.Title: Rajinder Kaur Bhattal v. Union of India and othersClick here to read/download the order

12 Personnel Already Deployed With Her: High Court Refuses To Interfere With Downgrade Of Former Punjab CM Rajinder Kaur Bhattal's Security

Aiman J. Chishti

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