[PM Narendra Modi security breach in Punjab] Ferozepur SSP failed to discharge duty; remedial measures needed: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Thursday was told by a Committee formed to probe the security breach of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Punjab earlier this year that the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) in Ferozepur failed to discharge his duty to maintain law and order [Lawyer's Voice v. State of Punjab and ors]..A Bench of Chief Justice of India NV Ramana and Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli also noted that the Committee had suggested remedial measures to be taken to safeguard the Prime Minister's security..While going through the report submitted by the Committee headed by retired Supreme Court judge, Justice Indu Malhotra, CJI Ramana said,"There are remedial measures and safeguards needed for PM security. It is suggested that a oversight committee be constituted, training of police officers as per blue book, security planning for VVIP visits..."Revealing the findings of the Committee, the Court stated,"Ferozepur SSP failed to discharge his duty to maintain law and order. He failed to do this even though sufficient force was available and even though he was informed 2 hours before that PM Modi will enter that route."Taking this into account, the Committee had suggested some remedial measures to strengthen the security of the Prime Minister. "We will send the report to the government so that steps are taken," CJI Ramana said.The report was then resealed and kept in the safe custody of the Secretary General of the Court, who, the bench directed, shall make it available as and when required by the Court.The Bench also refused to provide a redacted copy of the Committee's report to the police officers in question."The sealed cover was opened in the Court and we read out some recommendations made in the said report. Thereafter, the report was re-sealed and kept in the safe custody of the Secretary General of this Court, who shall make it available as and when required by the Court. We direct the Registry to send a copy of the report to the Central Government and the State Government for further action. Accordingly, this Writ Petition is disposed of," the Court ordered..The Court was hearing a plea seeking a court-monitored probe into the alleged security breach that occurred when PM Modi's convoy was stuck on a flyover at Hussainwala for twenty minutes after people protesting the now rescinded farm laws allegedly blocked the road.The Central government and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) blamed the Congress government in Punjab for the security lapse. The State government, however, maintained that the PM had altered his route at the last minute..The plea filed by an organisation called Lawyers Voice sought suspension of Punjab Chief Secretary Anirudh Tewari and Director General of Police Sidharth Chattopadhyaya.It further prayed that the apex court should take cognizance of the incident and direct the Bathinda District Judge to collect all official documents and materials on the deployment and movements of the Punjab Police during the PM's visit.The plea before the Supreme Court stated the security lapse was intentional, and blamed the Congress government in Punjab for the same. It alleged complicity on the part of State authorities, given their presence at the blockage site..In January this year, the Court had called for the preservation of travel records of the PM's visit during which a security lapse allegedly occurred.The Bench had directed officers of the Punjab Police and the Special Protection (SPG) as well as other Central and State agencies to cooperate and provide necessary assistance to the Registrar General of the Punjab & Haryana High Court, who was directed to keep all records in his safe custody.The Court had further appointed the Chandigarh Director-General of Police and an officer from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) as nodal officers to coordinate with the Registrar-General.A Committee headed by Justice Malhotra was formed to probe the matter..[Follow our coverage of today's hearing].[Read order]