The Supreme Court agreed to set up an independent committee, to be headed by a former Supreme Court judge to probe Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s security breach in Ferozepur, Punjab last week. While hearing a petition on the matter, the top court asked both the Centre and Punjab governments not to go ahead with their inquires in the matter.

The 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.

Earlier today, a bench of SC headed by CJI Ramana began the hearing of a plea seeking a court-monitored probe into the incident involving a breach of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s security during his visit to Ferozepur in Punjab. A three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) NV Ramana and consisting of Justice Surya Kanta and Justice Hima Kohli took up the petition filed by an organisation – Lawyers’ Voice.

Arguments, and what the court said

After being told that the Centre has issued show-cause notices to Punjab officials, the Supreme Court told the Centre that the notices issued by it to Punjab officials were self-contradictory. The court added that by constituting Committee, Centre is seeking to enquire if there was a breach of SPG Act and then, on the other hand, it is holding Punjab Chief Secretary and Director General guilty.

“There is a breach and the Punjab government 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?” the Court asked.

During the hearing on Monday, senior advocate DS Patwalia, Advocate General of Punjab government, told the Supreme Court that the records have been taken into consideration by the Registrar General of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

The Punjab government also said that seven show-cause notices have been issued to the state officers as to why disciplinary action should not be taken against them. “Please appoint an independent committee, and give us a fair hearing,” the state government said.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, told the Supreme Court that show-cause notices were issued to DG and Punjab Chief Secretary before the proceedings of Central govt’s Committee was halted. No hearing was done by the committee appointed, he said.

PM Modi security breach deliberate: PIL

Appearing for petitioner Lawyers’ Voice, senior advocate Maninder Singh had earlier told the apex court on Friday that the breach of PM Modi’s security in Punjab is not merely a law and order problem, but a matter under the Special Protection Groups (SPG) Act.

“The matter of Prime Minister protection is a national security issue and comes under parliamentary purview,” Singh said in the court, news agency ANI quoted.

The petition has alleged that the breach of PM’s security was a deliberate lapse on part of the state government. It has urged the Supreme Court to take strict action against the ‘erring’ officials of the Punjab government. The PIL also questioned why and how private persons were given access to PM Modi’s route.

“The overall responsibility for ensuring the safety of the Prime Minster rests with the State government and the responsibility for providing proximate security will rest with the Special Protection Group (SPG) as per the SPG Act 1988. On the contrary, 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 jeopardized the security of the Prime Minister,” the petition said.

A serious breach of PM Narendra Modi’s security took place on January 5, when he was travelling to Punjab’s Ferozepur for a rally. PM Modi’s convoy was stranded for almost 20 minutes on a flyover when protestors, claiming to be farmers, blocked the route of the cavalcade. Some of the persons were also seen approaching the PM’s vehicle. A massive political war-of-words broke out over the incident as the BJP hit out at the Charanjit Singh Channi-led Congress government in Punjab questioning the security lapse.