HC notice to Surjewala over state's plea against double security

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab and Haryana high court on Monday issued notice to Kaithal MLA and media in-charge of Congress party Randeep Singh Surjewala on a plea filed by Haryana police seeking withdrawal of security cover provided to him by the state.
According to the state police, at present 22 security persons are deployed with Surjewala against the entitlement of 11 security personnel as prescribed in ‘Yellow book’. State police has also argued that as per the MHA guidelines, a protectee cannot be granted double security cover from the state as well as Centre.

Justice Amit Rawal of the HC has issued the notice after hearing an application filed by Maneesh Chaudhary, senior superintendent of police (security) on behalf of the state government and DGP.

Chaudhary has submitted that as per the Yellow book, a protectee of “Y” category is entitled to 11 security guards and as per information received from deputy commissioner of police (SG), New Delhi, through a communication on October 16, 2017, Surjewala has been provided 11 security personnel being permanent resident of Niti Bagh, New Delhi.

It was further stated that Surjewala has also been provided 11 security personnel by Haryana police.

According to the police, he is presently having double security by Haryana state as well as by central security agency and now having 22 personnel against the entitlement of 11 as prescribed in Yellow book.

“Through a reference bearing F No. 23014/285/2011-VS, addressed to all chief secretaries of the states/UTs, it has been clarified by the ministry of home affairs (MHA) that many individuals are provided categorized security both by the state as well as Centre. In any condition double protection to an individual should not be provided. Further Armed guard component shall be deployed only at principal residence of the protectee,” state police has submitted.

Police has sought directions to withdraw 11 security personnel of Haryana police from Surjewala.

The Haryana police had to approach the HC for withdrawal of security cover from Surjewala because Justice Amit Rawal of the HC, in its March 2017, had ordered that in case the Centre or state deemed it appropriate to change the category of his security cover, permission from the court may be sought.

The matter had reached before the HC after Surjewala had filed a petition before HC demanding security by central paramilitary forces on the grounds that he has threat to his life because of his "proactive role in formation of separate Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee in Haryana".