Security Cannot Be Granted As a Matter of Right; MP Rajan Vichare’s Security Reduced After Consideration: Shinde Govt To Bombay HC

The State of Maharashtra through Thane DCP has filed its reply in a plea filed by MP Rajan Vichare against the decision to reduce the security of the MP taken by the present Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. 

The State Government in its reply said that Vichare is being provided security 1+1 i.e. one police personnel during day time and other police personnel during night time. The government informed the court that previously Vichare was provided 2+2 security i.e. two police personnel during day time and two police personnel during night time. It is stated in the reply that a person is neither entitled to Police Protection as a matter of right nor can be granted as a matter of course.

The high court was informed that the decision of reducing the security was taken after consideration with various authorities such as Senior Police Inspector, Asstt. Commissioner of Police, Dy. Commissioner of Police, Addl. Commissioner of Police, Deputy Commissioner of Police (SB), Joint Commissioner of Police and Commissioner of Police, Thane.

It was stated in the reply that the police protection granted to Vichare since 2002 was not continuous and that protection is granted based on review and threats.

“It is stated that the Petitioner's police protection which has been granted to him since February, 2002 was not continuous, as the same was in between discontinued. The said was on the basis of review about the threat perception. Hence, whenever there is any threat perception, after considering the overall view only thereafter Police Protection is given to the said person either on-payment or non payment. Therefore, the contention of the Petitioner that his Police Protection has been deliberately reduced in order to cause harm to his life and property including his family members to be put in danger is absolutely incorrect and without any basis,” the reply stated.

The petition filed by Vichare alleged that the workers in the home constituency of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde were coerced to join his party and that the petitioner (Vichare) and the 3 other corporators were the only ones in the Thane constituency with the Uddhav Thackeray faction.

Vichare stated in his petition that the private PAs who are not MPs or MLAs are being given security by the present Chief Minister at the cost of the exchequer only because they are close to the Chief Minister.

He has alleged that the office bearers and the activist of the Uddhav Thackeray faction are being harassed by filing false cases. Further, he has stated that the lawlessness has increased to such an extent that the present government is misusing the machinery to harass the Members of Parliament.

Case Title: Rajan Baburao Vichare vs State of Maharashtra