Police Security Not A Right: Eknath Shinde Led Maharashtra Govt Tells Bombay HC On Reduced Security For Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Rajan Vichare

"A person is neither entitled to a Police Protection as a matter of right nor can be granted as a matter of course," the affidavit said, adding "An inquiry is conducted and after determining the extent of such threat and the nature thereof the extent of Police Protection and its duration is decided."

The State denied allegations that Vichare's security had been deliberately reduced to cause harm to him and for his family members to be put in danger as being "incorrect" and "without any basis."

A division bench of Justices AS Gadkari and PD Naik were hearing Vichare's petition in which he alleged that the government was providing double police security to the Private Personal Assistants', party workers and some people who are not even holding any position but are close to CM Eknath Shinde at the cost of state exchequer, but the security of those aligning with UBT Shiv Sena has been reduced.

"It is further stated that even if threats to the life of Citizen exist Police Protection is provided," the affidavit said, calling the allegations baseless.

On Tuesday, the bench allowed Vichare's advocate Nitin Satpute to make certain amendments in the petition and also accepted a photocopy of the affidavit. They however said it wouldn't be taken on record till it wasn't e-filed. The bench accordingly posed the case of hearing a week later.

In the detailed affidavit, the police said Rajan earlier had 2+2 security, which means two constables in the day and two at night. That has now been reduced to 1+1.

"It is stated that the Police Protection of the Petitioner which has been reduced since 15th October, 2022 was done after consideration at all levels. It is further stated that reducing the Police Protection was done after scrutinizing which was approved by the Police Commissioner."

It added that Vichare's police protection which has been granted to him since February2002 was not continuous, as the same was in between discontinued.

"Whenever there is any threat perception, after considering the overall view only thereafter Police Protection is given to the said person either on-payment or non payment," the affidavit finally said.

Vichare says in his plea that the government machinery is being misused to intimidate him despite being elected to the Lok Sabha in 2014 and re-elected in 2019 with the margin of more than 4.21 Lakh votes.

The plea states that he was elected as Member of Parliament from old undivided Shivsena, and remained with Ex-CM Uddhav Thackeray after the split. “After spit in Shiv Sena the Eknath Shinde led Government is trying to create problems to the MP & MLAs who have not joined hands with either Eknath Shinde or BJP,” the petition says.

The petition therefore seeks to direct the Respondents state to Reinstate or Restore Security to the petitioner for the interest of justice.