Former SC Judge Indu Malhotra heads panel to probe PM’s security breach
13 Jan 2022
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The Supreme Court has appointed a five-member panel headed by retired judge of the Supreme Court, Justice Indu Malhotra, to inquire into the security breach during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Punjab on 5 January.
A Supreme Court bench of Chief Justice N V Ramana and Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli announces the constitution of the enquiry panel that also includes DG of NIA or his nominee not below the rank of IG, DGP of Chandigarh UT, DGP of Punjab and Registrar General of Punjab and Haryana High Court.
The court has asked HC Registrar General to submit all records and documents collected by him on orders of the SC to the inquiry panel. The panel has been asked to submit the inquiry report as early as possible.
The Supreme Court further said that the panel will inquire into the causes of the security breach, persons responsible for it and the measures to be taken in future for preventing such security breaches of VVIPs.
Earlier, on Monday, the apex court had asked both the central government and the Punjab government not go ahead with the inquiries by the committees constituted by them.
The prime minister was stuck atop a flyover for 15-20 minutes while on his way to Ferozepur, Punjab earlier this month after some protestors blocked the road.
The Prime Minister was to visit Ferozepur and lay foundation stones of multiple development projects worth more than Rs42,750 crore. After the security lapse, he decided to head back to Bathinda Airport.
Union home ministry has sought a report from the Punjab government on the security breach during the prime minister’s visit to Punjab calling it a major lapse in his security.
