Read Time: 06 minutes

A Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Sachin Datta directed the Delhi Police to share the sealed cover status report with the CM secretariat in the Chief Minister security lapse case.

The development came after a Public Interest Litigation was filed against the security lapses outside the Delhi Chief Minister's House by the Delhi Police in failing to stop the members of a group allegedly vandalising property outside the CM residence.

During the hearing, the Delhi Police also informed the court that eight persons had been arrested in the case and remained in custody for 14 days, after which they were granted bail by the court. It also submitted that notices were issued to 20 more persons and the police will soon file a charge sheet in the case before the concerned court. 

The Court had earlier expressed dissatisfaction at the report filed by the Delhi Police with respect to the security arrangement made outside the CM residence. It had remarked,

"The reading of the report shows that the bando bast made outside the residence of the Chief Minister of Delhi and on the road leading to his residence, in the wake of the permission sought on behalf BJ Yuva Morcha, which was declined, was inadequate and they failed to prevent some miscreants from eventually reaching the gate of the residence of the CM and vandalising the area and destroying public property."

Stating that "Once there is a security failure, it has to come with consequences", the Delhi High Court had further directed the Commissioner of Delhi Police to inquire into the following aspects:

• Whether the bando bast was adequate and
• The reasons for failure of the arrangements made and
• Fix responsibility for the lapse which admittedly has occurred

In accordance with the court's direction, the Delhi Police tendered the sealed cover status report on the CM's security arrangements but expressed reservations on sharing the same with the Petitioner. It claimed that the report was a highly confidential document which could not be shared with a civilian. 

The Delhi High Court thus directed that the report be shared with the CM secretariat and that further status reports be filed on the investigation conducted. The matter has now been listed for July 21.

Interim Status Report 

As per the interim status report previously filed by the Delhi Police, it had barricaded the area in question at four points - A, B, C and D. The miscreants, according to the report, were able to breach the barricades at the points marked A, B and C and reach the residence of the chief minister.

Senior Advocate, Dr. Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for the Petitioner had submitted that the police had turned a blind eye to the activities of the miscreants, who were being supported by the ruling government. He further submitted that the nature of the case would not permit the Delhi Police to conduct an objective investigation. 

"Prima donna and persona grata are far too big for the police to take objective action", he remarked, while emphasising the need for an SIT probe.