Can’t rule on security for Raj, MHA has no role in it: Delhi HC

The Delhi high court on Friday refused to entertain a plea that sought for the security cover given to Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray to be withdrawn, as the Centre said the state government was taking care of his security.

A bench of Chief Justice G. Rohini and Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal said that since the ministry of home affairs (MHA) has stated that they have nothing to do with Mr Thackeray’s security, “the question of withdrawal of his security raised by the petitioner does not arise”.

“In view of the statement made by the ministry, we cannot entertain this writ petition,” the bench said, adding that “it is not a public interest issue which requires interference by this court”. The court refused to hear the plea alleging that Mr Thackeray is provided with ‘Y’ category security cover by the government, which should be withdrawn as he neither holds a constitutional post and nor is he a lawmaker.

The court also refused to issue direction to the Centre to frame guidelines about the security cover given to private individuals who are “engaged in hate speech or have criminal cases” pending against them. The bench further said the petitioner could avail other remedies available under the law, if he was not satisfied by the court’s order.

The bench passed the order after the counsel for the MHA, Saakshi Agrawal, submitted that the security to the MNS chief had been given by the state government and not by the central government. The petitioner, Mithilesh Kumar Pandey, had alleged in his plea that people who are involved in hate speeches and have the means to hire private security guards should not be given security cover by the government spending taxpayers’ money, and a guideline should be framed on the issue. The plea had sought a direction to the Centre to frame guidelines while referring to the ratio of policemen and civilians in India.