HC refuses to issue order on PIL against VIP security

Even as politicians come under criticism for diverting security personnel for their own protection, Delhi High Court on Wednesday refused to be drawn into the controversy, saying it wasn’t an issue on which courts should issue any directions.

HC was hearing a PIL assailing the tendency of politicians to surround themselves with impenetrable security cover which robs the common man of his right to be protected, as was evident in the Mumbai terror attack last week.

The PIL, which was filed a few years ago, points out that a large number of Delhi police personnel are deputed for security of VIPs and VVIPs, which leaves very few policemen available for policing the capital. However, a division Bench of chief justice AP Shah and justice S Muralidhar said it was not an issue for courts to issue any direction or take a decision.

HC noted that the recent attacks have made internal security a very sensitive issue for the center and state governments and the very concept of the word security had changed, hinting it wouldn’t wish to intervene.

During the hearing, petitioner and lawyer Rajeev Awasthi argued that the latest attack had again highlighted the issue raised in the PIL and sought strict division in the police force for law and order duties and investigation. Awasthi recalled how after every terror strike ministers appear on news channels and call for the need to revamp general security. Though nothing actually translates on the ground.

But this didn’t impress the bench which asked him to stick to prayers made in his petition. HC also asked Awasthi to complile a list of previous orders passed on his PIL by different HC benches and place it before it on the next date of hearing.

In his arguments the lawyer maintained that even though the Ministry had last year drawn up recommendations to make it tougher for one to get VIP security which were yet to be finalized. On its part the central government assured the bench that these recommendations were being given final touches and the home ministry was already revamping the capital’s security.
Source:-The Times of India Delhi 4 December 2008 P.6
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