Y-category security of Dhananjay withdrawn: Centre tells HC

The central government has withdrawn the Y-category security given to criminal-turned-politician Dhananjay Singh, the Allahabad high court was told on Friday by the additional solicitor general of India.

Counsel for state government also apprised the court that the state government has directed superintendent of police of Jaunpur to file an application for cancellation of bail granted to the former MP in various pending criminal cases.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Allahabad high court had asked additional solicitor general of India Shashi Prakash Singh and the state government counsel to inform the bench by May 25 as to how Dhananjay had been provided Y-category security and why security cover should not be withdrawn from a person like the former MP, who is allegedly involved in 24 criminal cases, including seven murder cases.

The bench, comprising chief justice DB Bhosale and justice Suneet Kumar, after hearing concerned parties, disposed of the public interest litigation filed by one Prahlad Gupta of Jaunpur, seeking withdrawal of Y-category security provided to Dhananjay Singh.

According to the petitioner, four more criminal cases were registered against the former Jaunpur MP after security cover was provided to him and that he was misusing the security cover to commit crimes.