Breaking | 'We Are Not Satisfied With Your Bandobast': High Court Directs Delhi Police Commissioner To Look Into Security Lapse At CM Residence

The Delhi High Court on Monday expressed dissatisfaction at the report filed by the Delhi Police with respect to the security arrangement made outside Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence, which was attacked by an "unruly mob" on March 30.

"This kind of incident happening at residence of a constitutional functionary is very disturbing state of affairs. What kind of bandobast did you have? You need to look into your functioning. It could have been anybody, any Minister, Judge," the Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Navin Chawla observed at the outset.

It has therefore directed the Commissioner of Delhi Police to look into the aforesaid lapse and inquire into: firstly, whether bandobast was adequate; secondly, the reasons for failure of arrangements; and thirdly, fix responsibility for the admitted lapse.

The Court has also sought a further status report, to be filed within 2 weeks, disclosing the aspect with regard to review of security arrangement and what further steps have been taken, so that such incidents don't recur in future.

In its sealed cover report, the agency had admitted that the miscreants managed to breach three barricades outside the Cm residence.

"We definitely are not at all satisfied with your report with regard to bandobast. You have only said they breached this they breached that and somehow it happened. How can the Police force be heard to say this? A security failure has to come with consequences. We want a report on how things panned out. What was the bandobast initially, how the force reacted on spot," the Bench responded.

It refused the agency's request to close the PIL and ordered that the security lapse is a serious issue, which requires proper consideration by the Court.

The development comes in a petition moved through Advocate Bharat Gupta alleged that on March 30, "several BJP goons" in the garb of a protest, launched an attack on the official residence of the CM, videos and photographs of which show that such persons "casually walked through the security cordon maintained by Delhi Police, kicked and broke the boom barrier, broke the CCTVs cameras with lathis, threw paint on the gate of the residence and almost climbed over the gate."

It further alleged that the Delhi Police completely abdicated its duty, without any regard for the fact that they were protecting an elected constitutional functionary who was given Z+ security by Delhi Police itself.

Thus, calling it a direct attack on democracy, the petition seeks an independent, fair and time bound criminal investigation with respect to the attack and its perpetrators as also directions for ensuring the security of Chief Minister and his residence, in future.

The matter will now be heard on May 17.

Live updates from hearing here.

Case Title: SAURABH BHARDWAJ v. DELHI POLICE & ANR

Citation: 2022 LiveLaw (Del) 364