HC notice to Centre on Abhay's plea for Z+ security

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Tuesday issued a notice of motion to the Centre and other respondents for December 16 on INLD leader Abhay Singh Chautala’s plea seeking Z-plus or Z-category security cover in view of alleged threats from international gangsters.

Alleging threats from international gangsters after the murder of INLD state president and former MLA Nafe Singh Rathi, Chautala approached the court seeking security cover from a Central agency, such as the CRPF. The petitioner said repeated, credible threats from international and national gangsters had been communicated to him, but the state “failed to take any action whatsoever” on his representations.

The petitioner submitted that no committee was constituted, no assessment was undertaken and no interim protection was extended, even though “the threat perception is grave, imminent and continues to escalate."

Chautala—former Leader of Opposition and grandson of former Deputy PM Devi Lal—argued that the risk to his life intensified after he publicly demanded arrests in Rathi’s killing and pressed for a CBI probe monitored by the high court. The plea added that he raised the issue inside the Haryana Vidhan Sabha during the Budget session on February 27, 2024, and followed it up with a letter to the Chief Minister on February 28, warning that the assassination required independent investigation.

The writ petition, filed through advocate Sandeep Goyat, referred to Chautala’s sustained political profile since 2000, his repeated electoral victories from Ellenabad, and his campaigns on issues, including farmers’ protests.