The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ordered a change in the Judge Security detail following an incident at the Golden Temple.
In a significant judicial order, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed that the security detail of a sitting judge be immediately reassigned from Punjab Police to either Chandigarh Police or Haryana Police. This decision follows a recent and alarming security lapse at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, where a miscreant attempted to steal a 9mm pistol from the personal security officer (PSO) assigned to the judge. The incident has raised concerns about the adequacy of security arrangements provided by the Punjab Police for high-profile individuals.
The division bench, consisting of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Anil Kshetarpal, issued the directive in light of the security breach, highlighting the importance of ensuring the safety of judicial officers, both within and outside Chandigarh. The court made it clear that due to this incident and other concerns over the handling of security matters, it is no longer appropriate for the Punjab Police to be responsible for the judge’s security.
The security breach occurred on September 22, 2024, when a miscreant reportedly grabbed the 9mm pistol from the holster of the judge’s PSO while at the Golden Temple. According to the court order, the assailant attempted to escape towards the entrance of the sacred temple, and the PSO had to engage in a physical altercation to recover the weapon. During the scuffle, the miscreant shot himself in the head, leading to his death.
The deceased was later identified as Hariprasad, a resident of Mahalingapura, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. His identity was confirmed by his mother, Lakshmi Anandhan, and the post-mortem is pending the arrival of his family. While the exact motive of Hariprasad remains unclear, the court suggested that he may have intended to use the stolen weapon to harm the judge.
The court noted the serious nature of the lapse, remarking that it could have led to much graver consequences had the PSO not acted swiftly. The Punjab Police’s failure to prevent such an incident has raised questions about the competency of their personnel in managing the security of high-ranking judicial officers.
Court’s Observations on Security Lapses
In its detailed order, the Bench made strong observations regarding the security provided by the Punjab Police. The court pointed out that multiple judicial orders over the past 12 to 24 months have exposed large-scale lapses in the performance of investigating and security agencies in Punjab. This recent incident has added to the growing concerns about the efficacy of Punjab Police in ensuring the security of crucial public figures.
The bench commented, “This Court, thus, deems it appropriate that the security personnel dealing with the protection of the learned Judge ought not to be members of the Punjab police force, but either of the UT Administration or the State of Haryana.”
The court’s order underlined the necessity of assigning the judge’s security detail to forces with a stronger track record of managing high-profile security, such as Chandigarh Police or Haryana Police. As a result, the bench directed that “the personnel manning the security of the learned Judge within and outside Chandigarh shall immediately be changed from Punjab Police to police personnel belonging to either the UT Administration or the State of Haryana.”
The court has set a deadline for the Union Territory Administration and Haryana Police to comply with this order and file a compliance report before the next date of the hearing, which is scheduled for October 1, 2024. The compliance report will provide details on the reassignment of security personnel and ensure that the court’s directives have been fully implemented.
In addition to the security change, the bench also sought suggestions for appropriate investigating officers from both the UT administration and the Haryana government to conduct a thorough investigation into the security lapse. This move highlights the court’s intent to ensure that such incidents are properly investigated and that any shortcomings in the security system are rectified.
The Union of India and the State of Haryana have also been made parties to this case. Satya Pal Jain, the Additional Solicitor General of India, appeared via video conferencing to represent the Union government. Jain assured the court of the central government’s complete cooperation and assistance in accordance with legal protocols. His participation further underscores the gravity of the situation and the need for close coordination between various government entities to safeguard judicial officers.
The bench has specifically ordered the involvement of the Home Secretary of Haryana and the Secretary of Home Affairs at the central level, reflecting the importance of both state and federal authorities in ensuring the safety of the judiciary.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court’s decision comes in the wake of heightened concerns about security for judges and other public officials, particularly in sensitive locations such as religious sites. The Golden Temple is one of the most revered places in India, and an incident like this within its premises has raised alarm over the potential threats facing high-profile individuals in public spaces.
This incident also puts a spotlight on the efficiency of the Punjab Police in handling such high-stakes security scenarios. With the court’s order for an immediate security detail change, it remains to be seen whether this decision will lead to improvements in the handling of similar high-profile cases in the future.
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