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Punjab & Haryana High Court orders fresh security review for SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia

Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav has been directed to provide Bikram Singh Majithia with interim protection as the HC weighs inputs from the Ministry of Home Affairs suggesting an elevated threat level.

In the interim, the court has ordered the Punjab government to ensure Majithia’s safety. (File Photo)

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the chief secretary and director-general of police of Punjab to conduct a fresh assessment of the security requirements for Bikram Singh Majithia after the Shiromani Akali Dal leader filed a petition amid concerns over his safety, based on threat perceptions flagged by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

Justice Kuldeep Tiwari issued the order on Friday following a review of security reports submitted by the Punjab government and the MHA. While the state’s assessment, based on an affidavit from DGP Gaurav Yadav, referred to past incidents, the MHA provided recent inputs suggesting an elevated threat level.

During the hearing, Additional Solicitor-General Satya Pal Jain, representing the Centre, informed the court that the MHA had conveyed relevant information to the Punjab chief secretary on May 1 to aid an independent decision.

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Justice Tiwari, noting the “sensitivity and gravity” of the issue, observed that the inputs furnished by the MHA warranted a reconsideration of Majithia’s security.

The court directed the chief secretary and the DGP to take a fresh decision in light of the latest MHA inputs. The authorities have been permitted to consult the MHA and are required to file a fresh affidavit before the next hearing on May 12.

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In the interim, the court has ordered the Punjab government to ensure Majithia’s safety. “In view of the threat assessment made by the Ministry of Home Affairs,” the court said, “this Court deems it appropriate to direct the respondent(s)-State to, in the meanwhile, ensure that adequate protection is provided to the petitioner, and no harm is caused to him.”

The court said the MHA’s sealed report, submitted during the proceedings, would be returned to ASG Jain but must remain accessible for the next hearing. The court further said that no plea for adjournment would be entertained on May 12.

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