CHANDIGARH: Responding to the
Haryana government’s plea to withdraw additional security guards, the media in charge of Indian National Congress and Kaithal MLA, Randeep Singh Surjewala has informed the Punjab and Haryana high court that there are serious threats to his security.
In his detailed reply, the former Haryana minister has claimed threat from the gangs of some criminals operating in the state has been sending threats to him through social media but the government is not taking action. He also claimed to have received threat letters and alleged malafide intentions of the state in curtailing his security cover.
The reply from Surjewala has come in the wake of a plea filed by Haryana police seeking withdrawal of additional security cover provided to him by the state.
According to the Haryana 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.
“By no stretch of imagination, it can be termed as dual security. In fact, it reflects the inherent bias and prejudice of the state of Haryana. As stated in the affidavit filed by Union government on February 16, 2017, a specific arrangement has been made to provide security to the petitioner outside Haryana as a visiting protectee in Delhi on account of the nature of the duties of the petitioner as also in rest of the country,” advocate R Kartikeya, counsel for Surjewala has submitted.
Counsel also informed the HC that the Union home minister was informed through various letter by Surjewala regarding the threat to his life on separate dates.
Hearing the matter, the HC has now adjourned the case for August 3 for arguments in the case.
Haryana police has been arguing that 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.