Punjab and Haryana HC asks Randeep Surjewala to justify Y+ security cover after Centre moots withdrawal

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala to submit proof of the need for his Y+ security detail renewal even as the Central government moves to withdraw it.

A Bench of Justice Kuldeep Tiwari directed,

"The non-applicant/petitioner, within a period of four weeks, from the date of passing of this order, shall submit all the material before the apt authorities concerned, and thereupon, after affording due opportunity of hearing to the non-applicant/petitioner, the authorities concerned, shall take a decision thereof, most expeditiously."

In 2016, Surjewala had approached the High Court seeking a direction to the authorities to provide him Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) cover due to an imminent threat to his life. The Court in 2017 had disposed of the plea after the Centre granted him Y+ category security nationwide.

However, the Court had also directed that if the government intended to alter or withdraw the security cover, its prior permission would be required.

Now, the Central government has filed a plea seeking permission to withdraw the security, citing a fresh threat perception assessment by the Central Security Agency, which found no specific threat.

Surjewala informed the Court that a threat still exists. He expressed his willingness to appear before the authorities to submit relevant supporting material.

In light of the same, the Court allowed the plea. The matter will be heard next on September 30.

Advocates JS Toor, R Kartikeya and Adhiraj Toor appeared for Surjewala.

Senior Panel Counsel Arun Gosain and Advocates Swati Arora and Saurav Rao appeared for the Central government.

Deputy Advocate General Pankaj Mulwani appeared for the State of Haryana.

[Read Order]