Delhi High Court Directs Police To Reconsider Plea Of Lawyer Engaged In Ram Janmbhoomi Case Over Withdrawal Of Security

The Delhi High Court on Monday directed the Delhi Police to reconsider within two weeks the plea filed by a Supreme Court lawyer, who represented Ministry of Home Affairs and Archaeological Survey of India in the Ram Janmbhoomi case before the Allahabad High Court, aggrieved by withdrawal of security provided to him in 2013. 

Justice Rekha Palli also sought a report to be filed in the matter while listing the case for further hearing on November 15.

Advocate Ravi Prakash Mehrotra was given security in September 2013. 

Senior Advocate Siddharth Luthra appearing for Mehrotra submitted before the Court that there was no justification on the part of Delhi Police to withdraw his security. He also submitted that the Allahabad High Court, vide it's order dated April 25, 2014, had clarified that the said security once provided would not be lifted.

According to the petitioner, the Delhi Police acted in breach of the orders while withdrawing the security. 

"Delhi Police's assessment is fallacious. I was protected in terms of the High Court order. How can I be treated different than others who are being given protection by the Uttar Pradesh Police?" Submitted Luthra. 

On the other hand, Advocate Sameer Vashisht appearing for the Delhi Police submitted that the security provided cannot be granted till perpetuity and that it would be plausible for the police to reconsider the issue beneficially if the petitioner could submit a valid proof to substantiate his case. 

"We are not objecting to it. It's the matter of somebody's life," said Vashisht. 

Thus, while directing the police to reconsider the matter, the Court added that it should also consider the averments made by the petitioner stating that similarly placed advocates are still getting security as also the fact that the threat perception which existed in 2014 has still not disappeared.

In related development, the High Court recently disposed of plea filed by National President of Hindu Sant Mahasabha, Swami Chakrapani, seeking restoration of his Z security cover, following assurance given by the Delhi Police. 

Case Title: Ravi Prakash Mehrotra v. Union of India