New Delhi: The Supreme Court today agreed to set up an independent committee which will be headed by a former Supreme Court judge to probe Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s security breach in Ferozepur, Punjab on 5 January.
The apex court has proposed to include DGP Chandigarh, IG National Investigation Agency, Registrar General of Punjab and Haryana High Court, and ADGP (security) of Punjab, in the independent committee.
A three-judge bench led by by Chief Justice of India NV Ramana and consisting of Justice Surya Kanta and Justice Hima Kohli took up the petition filed by an organisation – Lawyers’ Voice.
The apex court on Friday had directed the Registrar General of the Punjab and Haryana High Court to ‘secure and preserve’ the records pertaining to arrangements made for the Prime Minister’s visit to Punjab when there was a ‘massive security breach’.
It had also said the inquiry committees set up separately by the State and central governments will hold their horses and not proceed with their respective inquiries till January 10 when the matter will be taken up again by the court. The bench, however, did not dictate it as part of the order, and had asked the counsels to convey its feelings to the authorities.
On Friday, Senior advocate Maninder Singh appearing for petitioner Lawyers’ Voice told the Supreme Court that the breach in Prime Minister’s security is not merely a law and order problem, it falls under Special Protection Groups (SPG) Act.
Singh said it is the duty of Centre and State or the Union Territory and other local authorities to act in aid of the director of any member of the SPG. Under the SPG Act, it is not an issue of state subject or law and order. ‘The issue of Prime Minister protection is a national security issue and comes under parliamentary purview,’ Singh said