Supreme Court: After a massive security lapse that left Prime Minister Narendra Modi stuck on a highway in Punjab for 20 minutes on January 5, 2022, the 3-judge bench of NV Ramana, CJ and Surya Kant and Hima Kohli, JJ has directed the Registrar General, Punjab and Haryana High Court to secure and preserve the records relating to Prime Minister’s scheduled tour of Punjab on 05th January 2022.
As per NDTV’s report, Prime Miniter Modi visited Bathinda for events that included a rally at Ferozepur. However, due to bad weather the convoy took off by road for a two-hour journey instead of flying to the site by helicopter. Around 10 km short of the rally venue, the convoy was stranded on a flyover because of protesting farmers. After waiting for 20 minutes, Prime Minister Modi turned back and left, scrapping all further programmes.
The Court directed the Director General of Police, Union Territory of Chandigarh and an officer of the National Investigation Agency, not below the rank of Inspector General, to be nominated by the Director General, National Investigation Agency to assist the Registrar General, Punjab and Haryana High Court to forthwith secure and seize the records from the State police as well as Central agencies.
It further directed the State Government of Punjab, including the police authorities, the Special Protection Group and any other Central/State agencies to cooperate and to provide necessary assistance in securing and seizing the records. The Registrar General, Punjab and Haryana High Court to keep the records in his safe custody for the time being.
The Court will now take up the matter on Monday, January 10, 2022.
[Lawyers’ Voice v. State of Punjab, 2022 SCC OnLine SC 22, order dated 07.01.2022]
For Petitioner: Senior Advocate Maninder Singh
For Respondents: Solicitor General, Tushar Mehta, and D.S. Patwalia, Advocate General for the State of Punjab