SC to set up 5-member committee to probe PM's security breach

The Supreme Court has agreed to set up a committee led by a retired top court judge to enquire into the security lapses during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Punjab on 5th January. Asking the Centre and Punjab government to halt parallel probes by their respective panels set up to enquire into the lapses, the apex court noted that it intends to include DGP Chandigarh, an IG-rank officer from National Investigation Agency (NIA), Registrar General of Punjab and Haryana High Court and ADGP (Security) of Punjab in the committee.

The 3-judge bench of CJI Justice NV Ramana, Justice Surya Kant and Justice Hima Kohli will pass a detailed order to form the committee, and will keep the PILs for probe into the security breach incident pending for now. Observing that it is taking the issue "very seriously", the top court indicated that the enquiry committee will be asked to submit its report at the earliest so that Centre and Punjab government can be asked to take subsequent action, which may involve punishing officials for lapses in discharge of duty.

Appearing for the Centre, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta argued that Punjab government knew about the PM's contingency route in advance, submitting that SPG (Special Protection Group) rules hold the state police chief and intelligence officials responsible for lapses in PM's security. However, Punjab's Advocate General DS Patwalia objected to the showcause notice issued to state police chief and the Chief Secretary, arguing that the state was ready for any action if its officials were proven guilty but the probe shouldn't "condemn its officers unheard".

Terming Centre's showcause notice as self-contradictory, the court noted that while on one hand it speaks of breach of the SPG Act and holds the state government guilty, it also gives an impression that it has already been decided how the probe will proceed. The court asked the Centre that if it gives only 24 hours to the state officials to reply to the notice, what is the scope of enquiry sought from the court into the incident.

Meanwhile, US-based Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), which is a designated terror outfit in India has taken responsibility for PM's security breach in a call made to Maharashtra govt's ex-standing counsel in the Supreme Court. The recorded voice in the call made to Advocate Nishant Katneshwarkar has urged the top court to not allow the government to file cases against Punjab's farmers. Referring to the 1984 Sikh killings and the recent deaths of farmers, the organisation claimed that nothing was done by courts.

Subscribe Now To Our Network Channels :-

To Stay Updated Download the Times Now App :-

Social Media Links :-

[rajagopalkrishnarao]

It appears that the Supreme Court also slowly turning into a lethargic institution. Otherwise how is it that the SC does not specify any time frame for to complete the investigation in such a grave incident's inquiry?

[RaviSharma-fdij]

In order to show off your very fast and fluent English speaking, you forgot that No other English News Channel throughout the world commits such a blunder of speaking so fast. Your speed should be such that even a single person likes to listen. I do not listen to your way of speaking. You should give the listener time to grasp.