Subramanian Swamy Moves Delhi High Court Over Centre's 'Failure' To Make Adequate Security Arrangements At Private Accommodation

Former Rajya Sabha MP Dr. Subramanian Swamy has moved the Delhi High Court claiming that the Centre failed to ensure adequate security arrangements at his private accommodation in national capital after he was recently directed to hand over possession of his government accommodation to the authorities.

The petition was mentioned before a division bench headed by Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and has been allowed for listing on Monday.

Senior Advocate Jayant Mehta submitted that Swamy had agreed to leave the government accommodation by October 26 after an undertaking was given by the Centre before court that it will ensure that all adequate security arrangements are done at his private accommodation.

However, it was submitted that no such arrangement was done.

Swamy, who has been provided with Z category protection by the Centre, was allotted government accommodation on 15th January 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.

Disposing of Swamy's plea on September 14, Justice Yashwant 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 relevant protecting agencies shall take all steps in the said premises to ensure Swamy's safety and security.

Therefore, the single judge 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.