PM Modi Security Breach: SC Nod To Independent Committee Headed By Former Judge

SC's decision comes after Punjab govt's advocate informed that the prima facie Centre-led committee is of the opinion that State officials are guilty already and it has "no hopes" from the committee.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court heard a plea seeking probe into Prime Minister Narendra Modi's security breach during his visit to Punjab's Ferozepur for a political rally and agreed to set up an independent committee to probe the matter.

The apex court said that the committee will be headed by a former Supreme Court judge to probe Prime Minister Narendra Modi's security breach in Ferozepur, Punjab last week. 

The Supreme Court also proposed to include DGP Chandigarh, IG National Investigation Agency, Registrar General of Punjab and Haryana High Court, and ADGP (security) of Punjab, in the independent committee to probe the matter.

The top court also asked the Centre and Punjab government not to go ahead with their inquires in the matter.

The top court took the decision after the Punjab government's advocate informed that the prima facie Centre-led committee is of the opinion that State officials are guilty already and it has "no hopes" from the committee.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, told the Supreme Court that showcause notices were issued to DG and Punjab Chief Secretary before the proceedings of the Central government's Committee was halted. He informed that no hearing was done by the committee appointed. 

Taking note of the centre's argument, the court said, " show cause notice issued by it to Punjab officials is self-contradictory; added that by constituting Committee, Centre seeks to enquire if there was a breach of SPG Act and then it holds Punjab Chief Secretary and Director General guilty."

Tushar Mehta responded to the Court that the basis of the show cause notice is that as per rules DG and intelligence officials are responsible and there is no dispute about this. There was no pre-warning about the blockade, reported ANI.

The Supreme Court asserted, "Yes there is a breach and Punjab govt has admitted as well. The question is if an inquiry is held, what will be its scope. If you want to take disciplinary action against officers what remains for this court to look into?"

Solicitor General answered the court's question and said that if the show cause notice pre-empts the final outcome, the Committee of Central government will examine the issue and report to Court and till then it will not act upon the notice.

However, the court directed both the centre and the state not to go ahead with their probe committee proceedings.

Earlier, the Union Home Ministry had issued showcause notices to Bathinda's Senior Superintendent of Police Ajay Maluja and five other officers over the "major lapses , officials told PTI.

A Central team investigating the lapse also visited Ferozepur, meeting officials responsible for the security arrangements for the PM's visit.

Also, the Punjab government submitted a report to the Centre, giving the sequence of events and informing that an FIR has been registered against about 150 unidentified protesters.

The prime minister's convoy was stranded on a flyover in Ferozepur for nearly 20 minutes on Wednesday due to a blockade by farmers.

He then returned from poll-bound Punjab without attending the planned events, including a rally. The Centre accused the state's Congress government for the security breach and sought an immediate report from it.

Both the Centre and the state set up separate inquiry committees into the lapse.

But the Supreme Court asked them to hold their horses and not proceed with their inquiries till Monday, when it takes up the matter again.

(with PTI and ANI inputs)