Read Time: 11 minutes

The Supreme Court on Friday asked the committees constituted by the State of Punjab and the Centre looking into the recent security breach of the Prime Minister's convoy heading to Punjab to hold operations till January 10.

The Court, in the meantime, directed the Registrar General of the High Court of Punjab to secure all documents related to the Prime Minister's visit to Punjab in the issue concerning the recent security breach of his convoy.

Court also directed Central and State agencies to provide necessary details and provide the Registrar General with all necessary cooperation. 

A bench of CJI NV Ramana, Justices Surya Kant & Hima Kohli ordered,

"Taking into consideration the documents advanced by the parties, for the time being, in lieu of the issue relating to the Hon'ble PM of the country, as a first step, we deem it appropriate to direct the Registrar General of HC of Punjab and Haryana to secure documents related to the Prime Minister's visit to Punjab. We direct the State of Punjab, including the SPG and other central and state agencies to cooperate and provide the necessary details and we direct the Registrar General to keep these documents safe."

Court Room Exchange: 

Senior Advocate Maninder Singh appeared for the petitioner stated that an order has been passed by the state and a Committee was constituted but the bonafides of the judge who is heading it are questionable.

"The signal must go from the highest court of the country that this will not be tolerated, The lapse everybody agrees, but this is more serious. NIA needs to be involved. When a cavalcade of PMO India moves several documents are generated hence NIA needs to be there. There is chance of cross border TERRORISM!", said the Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta

The SG further stated that the PM's Convoy was on the flyover and that the Incharge DG gave a green signal.

"There is always a warning car that travels 500 mtrs ahead. Though the local police were there drinking tea with the people around they did not inform the PMO India"
- SG Of India

At this juncture, the Advocate General of Punjab, DS Patwalia said, "Though I have a serious issue with the contents in the petition filed by Lawyers voice, the state of Punjab is taking this very very seriously and we are not taking it lightly, we will go right to the root of this issue. We have ordered probe with a retired judge and also filed an FIR. The Centre is also investigating the matter. We have no objection if another person is recommended by the Court"

The Solicitor General said that the committee ought not to be constituted after the case was mentioned. The chief secretary might himself be under the scanner. We need to send the message that this cannot be repeated

"The issue before us is whether an independent inquiry will be made," said the CJI 

It is here that the Solicitor General said, "I will place all relevant details before your lordship tomorrow".

"Official tweet states that their (Punjab) committee looking into the PM's security breach will give a report in three days, this deserves to be stayed," said Maninder Singh.

The State of Punjab also sought that the Committee's probe, which has been constituted by the Centre is also stayed.

The Supreme Court listed the petition filed by Lawyer's Voice seeking probe into the breach of the security of Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleging that the local administration took part in the blockage and the security lapse for hearing today.

A bench of Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, Justice Surya Kant and Justice Hima Kohli agreed to hear the matter after Senior Advocate Maninder Singh mentioned the same before the bench on Thursday.

Singh submitted before the bench that such instances should not be repeated.

He also urged the court that the details of the security that was being provided to the Prime Minister, be kept in the custody of District Judge, Bhatinda.

Accordingly, CJI Ramana asked Singh to serve the papers on the State and said that the matter will be listed tomorrow.

The plea has stated that "as per reliable reports in the print and the electronic media, and as per the Press Information Bureau report of Central Government, was clearly intentional and raises a serious question as to national security and the role played by the present political dispensation in the State of Punjab."

It further stated that the, "situation wherein a high constitutional functionary is stranded on a flyover is an extremely high security threat considering the vulnerability and the degree of planning and protection required for the office of the Prime Minister."

It is alleged that the Chief Secretary, State of Punjab and Director General of Police had given assurances to Special Protection Group, that the route is clear, and it was found that the same was not true resulting in a precarious situation.

The plea has further alleged, "what was shocking and alarming on many levels was that local Police personnel on the spot were seen to be participating with the hooligans who jeopardised the security of the Prime Minister."

The plea has sought suspension of the Chief Secretary to the Government of Punjab Anirudh Tiwari and Director General of Police Sidharth Chattopadyaya while directing the Central Government to conduct an departmental action against same.

Case Title Lawyer's Voice Vs. State of Punjab and Ors.