SC to hear petition on PM's security breach in Punjab on Friday

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear the matter connected with the security breach of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Punjab on Friday.

On Thursday, senior advocate Maninder Singh mentioned the petition seeking a probe into the security break in the PM's cavalcade before a bench headed by Chief Justice NV Ramana and composed of Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli. The bench asked Singh to serve a copy of the petition to the Punjab government and posted the matter for hearing on Friday,

It was a serious lapse on the part of the Punjab government that the PM's cavalcade was stranded on the road causing an unacceptable security breach, Singh said. When asked what he was expecting from the court, Singh retorted that it must be ensured that this is not repeated and a thorough probe is required on the matter.

The Ministry of Home Affairs, which claimed that PM Modi's security was breached during his visit to Punjab on Wednesday, has sought a detailed report from the Punjab government. It further asked the state government to fix responsibility for the lapse and take strict action.

"Today morning Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed at Bathinda from where he was to go to the National Martyrs Memorial at Hussainiwala by helicopter. Due to rain and poor visibility, the Prime Minister waited for about 20 minutes for the weather to clear out. When the weather did not improve, it was decided that he would visit the National Martyrs Memorial via road, which would take more than two hours. He proceeded to travel by road after necessary confirmation of necessary security arrangements by the DGP Punjab Police," the MHA said.

The Prime Minister's convoy was halted on a flyover around 30 km away from the National Martyrs Memorial in Hussainiwala after protesters gathered at the other end of it. "The Prime Minister was stuck on a flyover for 15-20 minutes. This was a major lapse in the security of the Prime Minister," the MHA said.

The PM's schedule and travel plan were communicated well in advance to the Punjab government, the MHA added. "As per procedure, they have to make necessary arrangements for logistics, security as well as keep a contingency plan ready. Also, in view of the contingency plan, the Punjab Government has to deploy additional security to secure any movement by road, which were clearly not deployed. After this security lapse, it was decided to head back to Bathinda Airport," the MHA said.