Judge's Security Breach: Punjab & Haryana High Court Orders Expeditious Probe, Deputation Of CRPF Personnel For Judge's Safety

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has directed to deploy 3-4 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel in security of a sitting High Court judge whose security was compromised in a recent incident.

On September 22 a man pulled out the gun of the High Court Judge's Personal Security Officer (PSO) at Golden Temple and ran towards the entrance of the Golden Temple "with possible intent to harm the Judge". His advancement was thwarted by the PSO and in the scuffle that followed, the miscreant shot himself in the head.

Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Anil Kshetarpal said, "In so far as the security arrangements in regard to the learned Judge is concerned, the same have been beefed up. The report in regard to the security arrangements has been perused. We are of the considered view that ends of justice would be satisfied if paramilitary force, i.e. CRPF, is deputed for the purpose of personal security of the learned Judge."

Perusing the report on status of investigation on the three FIRs filed on the alleged incident, the Court said, "the investigation appears to be perfunctory in nature since the Investigating Officer, despite expiry of a number of days, has not been able to trace out the projectile of the bullet from the scene of crime, despite the post-mortem report indicating that there was not only an entry fire-arm wound but also an exit wound."

It directed IPS Manisha Chaudhary, the Investigating Officer, "to conduct and conclude investigation expeditiously without nursing any grievance for or against any stakeholder."

The bench also directed that the Investigating Officer with regard to the three FIRs lodged on the alleged incident, "to conduct and conclude the investigation as expeditiously as possible and submit fortnightly progress report."

The matter is now listed for November 04, for further consideration.

Also read: "Order Was Issued Considering Threat Perception": HC Expunges Adverse Remarks Against Punjab Police After Man Snatched Gun From Judge's PSO

Mr. J.S. Gill, Addl. Advocate General, Punjab.

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

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

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

Mr. R.S. Cheema, Senior Advocate

Mr. Vinod Ghai, Senior Advocate, with Mr. Arnav Ghai, Advocate, Mr. A.S. Cheema, Advocate, Mr. Satish Sharma, Advocate, Mr. Sandeep Kang, Advocate, for Punjab & Haryana High Court Bar Association, Chandigarh. Mr. R.S. Rai, Senior Advocate, with Mr. Anurag Arora, Advocate, Punjab & Haryana High Court Bar Association, Chandigarh.

Title: COURT ON ITS OWN MOTION v. STATE OF PUNJAB AND OTHERS

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