HC orders fresh security evaluation for Bikram Majithia

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the Chief Secretary and the state DGP to evaluate and “take a fresh decision” on the security cover provided to senior Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia. The order comes in view of divergence in threat perception reports by the Centre and the Punjab Police.

“A collective reading reveals that the state made the threat assessment based upon past incidents, whereas the Ministry of Home Affairs made the threat assessment based on recent inputs,” Justice Kuldeep Tiwari asserted.

Taking into consideration the gravity and sensitivity of the matter, the court directed the Chief Secretary and the DGP to evaluate the security cover in view of the Ministry of Home Affairs’ inputs, and file an affidavit before the next date of hearing. The court made it clear that the state authorities were at liberty to consult the Ministry of Home Affairs for the purpose.

The Bench also directed that “adequate protection be provided to the petitioner”.