Appropriate Security Arrangements Made To Ensure Subramanian Swamy's Safety: Centre to Delhi High Court

The union government on Thursday told the Delhi High Court that appropriate arrangements have been made for ensuring the safety and security of former Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy at his private residence in the national capital.

"Security agencies are satisfied that appropriate arrangements have been made for ensuring the safety and security of the petitioner herein considering the fact that he is a Z category protectee," Additional Solicitor General Sanjay Jain submitted before the court.

The submission was made before the bench of Justice Yashwant Varma by the ASG in response to an application moved by Swamy in a case related to security arrangements at his private residence.

The court earlier this week had directed the Central Government to file a "better comprehensive affidavit" to assure the court that security concerns raised by the former Rajya Sabha MP with regard to his private accommodation in the national capital "shall be duly met".

Following the Union's assurance on Thursday, the senior counsel representing Swamy submitted that he will vacate the government accommodation and hand it over to the Estate Office by Saturday. 

"In view of the aforesaid, the proceedings on the present application shall stand closed," said Justice Varma.

After the hearing, Swamy in a tweet said, "Govt which two days ago said something else today told the Delhi High Court that Govt will give full attention and ensure Z Security arrangements in Nizamuddin residence as per Yellow Book..."

Background

Swamy, who has been provided with Z category protection by the Centre, was allotted government accommodation on January 15 in 2016 for a period of five years. The bungalow in Lutyens Delhi had been allotted to him on account of a threat perception.

Swamy then became a member of the Rajya Sabha, the term of which came to an end on April 24 this year. While Swamy was serving as a member of the upper house, the government accommodation continued to remain with him even as the allotment ultimately came to an end by efflux of time. He had been recently asked to vacate the premises after his tenure as Rajya Sabha MP expired.

Swamy had then moved High Court arguing that bearing in mind the security arrangements which are required to be made for a Z category protectee, the accommodation which was originally allotted to him must be continued in his favour.

Earlier Petition

Disposing of Swamy's plea on September 14, Justice Varma said that while the original allotment was made for a period of five years which has now come to an end, no material was shown by Swamy which may mandate and require the allotment of government accommodation to a Z class protectee.

On the other hand, Additional Solicitor General Sanjay Jain appearing for the Centre had submitted that Swamy has his own residential premises to which he can shift and the security agencies shall take all steps in the said premises to ensure Swamy's safety and security.

Therefore, the court had said that all that would be left to be done by the authorities would be to ensure that adequate arrangements are made at Swamy's private residence so that his security is safeguarded. 

In the application that was disposed of today, Swamy had alleged that Centre had failed to make security arrangements at his Nizamuddin residence despite the ASG's assurance to the court.