Justice Indu Malhotra to head probe on PM Modi's security lapse

Tribune News Service

Satya Prakash

New Delhi, January 12

The Supreme Court today appointed former SC Judge Indu Malhotra as chairperson of a five-member committee to probe into the security lapse during the PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Punjab last week.

5-member committee

• The committee will probe causes of security breach
• Ascertain who were the persons responsible for it
• Recommend measures for preventing such lapses

A Bench led by CJI NV Ramana said the other members on the panel would be the NIA DG or an IG-level officer nominated by him; DGP of the Union Territory of Chandigarh; ADGP (Security), Punjab; and Registrar General of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

“We are of the considered opinion that these questions cannot be left to be resolved through one-sided inquiries.

The panel

• Justice Indu Malhotra, Supreme Court ex-judge: Chairperson
• NIA Director General or his nominee: Member
• Chandigarh DGP: Member
• ADGP (Security), Punjab: Member
• Registrar General, Pb & Hry HC: Member­cum­Coordinator

Terms of reference

• Causes behind the PM’s security breach on Jan 5
• Who are responsible for the breach, and to what extent
• What should be the remedial measures
• Suggestions for improving the safety of other constitutional functionaries

A judicially trained independent mind, duly assisted by officers who are well- acquainted with the security considerations and the Registrar General of the High Court who seized the record pursuant to our earlier order, would be best placed to effectively visit all issues and submit a comprehensive report for the consideration of this court,” the Bench said.

The committee would probe into the causes of the security breach, ascertain as to who were the persons responsible for it and recommend measures for preventing such lapses in VVIPs’ security in future, it said.

The Bench, which also included Justice Surya Kant and Justice Hima Kohli, stayed the proceedings initiated by the inquiry committees set up by the Centre and the Punjab Government.

The top court directed the Registrar General of the Punjab and Haryana High Court to submit all records and documents seized by him to the probe panel chairperson in three days. The Bench requested the probe panel to submit its report at the earliest. It will take up the matter after the panel submits its report. “The chairperson of the panel shall be entitled to all perks of a sitting SC Judge minus pension. They shall be provided full secretarial assistance, official car and other paraphernalia for effective completion of the inquiry,” it ordered.

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