Journalism of Courage
A committee appointed by the Supreme Court has faulted the then Ferozepur Senior Superintendent of Police for the security breach during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Punjab in January.
The committee, headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Indu Malhotra, said SSP Harmandeep Singh Hans failed to augment security along the Prime Minister’s route despite having time, sufficient forces and knowledge of protesting groups.
On January 5, Prime Minister Modi’s cavalcade set out from Bathinda airport to Hussainiwala in Ferozepur, but ran into a blockade by protesters en route. The convoy was stranded on a flyover for 15-20 minutes — a major breach of security protocol.
On January 8, Hans, an IPS officer, was transferred and posted as Commandant of the 3rd IRB battalion in Ludhiana.
Chief Justice of India N V Ramana, heading a three-judge bench that also comprised Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli, Thursday perused the report submitted by the committee and read out from it.
“There was sufficient time of approximately two hours from 10.20 onwards when G Nageshwar Rao (Additional Director General of Police) informed (Hans) that the Prime Minister would be taking the contingency route and the route should be adequately strengthened. Despite clear instructions from G Nageshwar Rao, at least 2 hours before the Prime Minister entered district Ferozepur, the SSP Ferozepur failed to act upon the instructions of G Nageshwar Rao,” the CJI cited the report as saying.
He said the court would send the report to the government. “Let the government take action.”
Asked whether it would be possible to make a redacted version available, the CJI said they were not sure as the report may have sensitive information on security arrangements.
Reading from it, the CJI said: “(The SSP) failed to discharge his responsibilities to maintain law and order… or take any steps for deployment to strengthen the route in Ferozepur, even though he was fully aware that there were large hostile groups who have come to block the route… He failed to augment and strengthen the route in Ferozepur even though there were sufficient forces available with him.”
The report also made recommendations for enhancing the Prime Minister’s security while on tour, including the constitution of an oversight committee for periodic revision and updation of the “Blue Book” and holding sensitisation courses for training police officers.
Meanwhile, Hans was not available for comment despite multiple attempts. He also did not respond to text messages.
Hearing a plea by a Delhi-based NGO called Lawyer’s Voice, the top court had on January 12 appointed its former judge, Justice Malhotra, to head an committee to probe the security breach.
The terms of reference for the enquiry committee were: What were the causes for the security breach for the incident on 5th January 2022; Who is responsible for such a breach, and to what extent; What should be the remedial measures or safeguards necessary for the security of the Hon’ble Prime Minister or other protectees; Any suggestions or recommendations for improving the safety and security of other Constitutional functionaries; Any other incidental issue that the Committee may deem fit and proper.
On January 7, the court directed the Punjab and Haryana High Court Registrar General to seize and secure all records regarding the security for the PM’s visit and keep them in safe custody.
Subsequently, the court was told that “the relevant records have been received, seized, and secured” and “sealed and placed in the custody of the Punjab and Haryana High Court”.
It then directed that the seized records be handed over to the chairperson of the inquiry committee. The Centre had earlier set up a committee on its own to probe the matter and urged the court to allow it to complete its task. This was opposed by the Punjab government which said it had “no hope” in the Centre’s committee and requested the court to constitute an “independent” one.
