Punjab and Haryana High Court orders speedy probe, deputation of CRPF personnel for judge’s security

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ordered deployment of 3-4 personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) for the security of a sitting judge of the High Court whose security was compromised in a recent incident.

On September 22, a man drew a gun from the High Court Judge’s Personal Security Officer (PSO) at the Golden Temple and ran toward the entrance of the Golden Temple “with possible intent to harm the Judge.” His advance was thwarted by the PSO and in the fight that ensued, the criminal shot himself in the head.

Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Anil Kshetarpal said, “With regard to the honorable Judge’s security measures, they have been reinforced. The report on security measures was examined. We are of the opinion that the ends of justice would be satisfied if the paramilitary force, i.e. the CRPF, was appointed for the purpose of personal security of the learned Judge.“

Examining the report on the status of investigation of the three FIRs lodged regarding the alleged incident, the Court said: “the investigation appears to be superficial in nature, as the Investigating Officer, despite the passage of a few days, was unable to locate the bullet projectile at the scene of the crime, despite the post-mortem report indicating that there was not just a gunshot wound entry by firearm, but also an exit wound.”

Directed IPS Manisha Chaudhary, the Investigating Officer, “conduct and conclude investigations quickly, without nurturing any complaints for or against any interested party.“

The bench also directed that the Investigating Officer in relation to the three FIRs lodged regarding the alleged incident, “conduct and complete the investigation as quickly as possible and provide a bi-weekly progress report.“

The matter is now listed for November 4th for further consideration.

Also Read: “Order was issued considering threat perception”: HC drops adverse comments against Punjab Police after man steals gun from judge’s PSO

Mr. JS Gill, Addl. Advocate General, Punjab.

Mr. Satya Pal Jain, Addl. Attorney General of India, with Mr. Dheeraj Jain, Senior Counsel to the Panel (UOI), (through video conferencing).

Mr. Amit Jhanji, Senior Standing Counsel, UT Chandigarh, with Mr. JS Chandail, Addl. Permanent Counsel, for Union Territory, Chandigarh.

Mr. Advocate General, Haryana, with Mr. Raj Kumar, Deputy Superintendent, CID, Security Branch, Sector 6, Panchkula.

Mr. RS Cheema, Senior Advocate

Mr. Vinod Ghai, Senior Advocate, with Mr. Arnav Ghai, Advocate, Mr. AS Cheema, Advocate, Mr. RS Rai, Senior Advocate, with Mr. Anurag Arora, Advocate, High Court Bar Association Punjab and Haryana, Chandigarh.

Title: COURT ON HIS OWN VS. STATE OF PUNJAB AND OTHERS

Click here to read/download the order