PM’s security breach in Punjab: Supreme Court sets up 5-member panel headed by retired judge Indu Malhotra
The prime minister was stuck atop a flyover for 15-20 minutes while on his way to Ferozpur, Punjab earlier this month due to the road being blocked by some protesters.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday set up a five-member committee in connection with the security lapse during PM Narendra Modi’s Punjab visit on January 5. In its order, the apex court today said the committee will be headed by a retired top court judge, Justice Indu Malhotra. The order was passed by a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India NV Ramana.
According to the top court order, the five-member panel will include Justice (retd) Indu Malhotra, IG, Director General of National Investigation Agency (NIA), Director General of Security of Punjab, and Registrar General of Punjab and Haryana High Court as its members.
In its order, the Supreme Court also directed the Registrar General of Punjab and Haryana High Court to submit documents related to security arrangements for the prime minister’s visit, to Justice Indu Malhotra.
Earlier on Monday, the apex court had said that it will constitute an independent committee headed by a retired top court judge to investigate the security lapse during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Punjab on January 5.
However, it has been indicated that Committee will include DGP Chandigarh, IG National Investigation Agency, Registrar General of the Punjab and Haryana High Court and ADGP (security) of Punjab in the Committee.
In the meantime, the Bench asked both the Central government and the Punjab government to not go ahead with the inquiries by the Committees constituted by them.
The prime minister was stuck atop a flyover for 15-20 minutes while on his way to Ferozpur, Punjab earlier this month due to the road being blocked by some protesters.
The Ministry of Home Affairs termed it as a “major lapse” in his security.
News Credit: India TV News
