PM Security Lapse : SCBA Requests Justice Indu Malhotra Committee To Probe Anonymous Threat Calls To Advocates

The Supreme Court Bar Association has written to Justice Indu Malhotra, Chairperson of the Enquiry Committee constituted to inquire into the lapse in security of the Prime Minister during his recent visit to Punjab, seeking an enquiry into the anonymous 'threat calls' received by AORs in relation to the case.

The Association through its letter has urged the Committee to enquire into the said incident while examining the issue of breach of PM's security as its an incidental issue.

The letter has stated that on 10th January, 2022, the day when Supreme Court heard the PIL by NGO Lawyer's Voice seeking probe into PM's security breach, several advocates on-record practicing in the Supreme Court received a threat call from an unknown international number. The caller also warned the Judges of the Supreme Court to refrain from hearing the case on the ground that the Supreme Court has not been able to punish the culprits of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

The letter has stated that even on Wednesday when the court passed its order constituting the Enquiry Committee a similar call was received by some lawyers from an unknown number.

According to the Association, this is a very serious action as it relates to the safety and security of lawyers and also impinges upon the independence of the justice delivery system.

Earlier on 10th January, the Supreme Court Advocates on Record Association had also written to the Secretary-General of Supreme Court of India requesting action against the anonymous calls received by AORs taking responsibility for PM Modi's security breach, and threatening Supreme Court not to hear the related case

The Supreme Court on Wednesday appointed former Supreme Court judge Justice Indu Malhotra to head the Committee to enquire into the security lapse which happened during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Punjab on January 5.

The Court opined that the "questions cannot be left to one-sided enquiry" and a  judicially trained mind needs to oversee the probe. The Director-General of the National Investigation Agency or his nominee not below the rank of IG, Director General of Police of Union Territory of Chandigarh, ADGP (Security) of Punjab and the Registrar General of the Punjab and Haryana High Court (who has seized the records relating to PM's visit) are the other members of the Committee.