SC panel to probe PM Narendra Modi security breach during Punjab visit

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to set up a high-level committee headed by a retired apex court judge to inquire into the security lapses during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Punjab on January 5.

"We are taking the PM's security breach very seriously," a three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice N.V. Ramana said while hearing a petition filed by NGO Lawyers Voice seeking appropriate directions on the issue.

"A retired Supreme Court judge will head this committee. The DG and IG NIA (National Investigation Agency) and the Punjab Additional Director General (Intelligence), Director General of Polce (Chandigarh), the Registrar General and Additional Director General of Police (Security), Punjab, will be a part of the committee," Ramana said.

The top court asked both the Centre and Punjab to stay their respective inquiriess.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, told the Supreme Court that show-cause notices were issued to the Director General of Punjab Police and the Chief Secretary of Punjab before the proceedings of the committee were halted.

The apex court said the inquiry committee will submit its report within the shortest possible time. The court will thereafter pass orders for action to be taken by the Centre and Punjab.

The Punjab government opposed before the Supreme Court any inquiry by the Centre and urged the apex court to set up an independent panel instead.

Senior advocate Maninder Singh, appearing for Lawyers Voice, said FIRs have been registered in Punjab against those who came in the way of the Prime Minister. Now this committee should be allowed to invoke legislation like UAPA.

"This is a useless committee," the Advocate General of Punjab, D S Patwalia, argued. "Hang me if I am guilty but don't condemn me unheard," he pleaded.

The CJI said: "All the inquiries have to be stopped." He added that we will pass an order shortly which will be uploaded during the day. (UNI)