[Sidhu Moosewala Murder] How Did Information On Security Withdrawal Come Into Public Domain?: HC Seeks Punjab Govt's Reply

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday asked the Punjab State Government as to how the list of persons whose security was withdrawn by it, came out in the public domain. The State Government has been asked to respond to the Court's query by June 2.

"Relevant information as to whether the order has become public on account of any RTI information or leakage or in collusion of someone having access to the order in question be also brought on record by the adjourned date," the Bench of Justice Raj Mohan Singh said.

This direction came on a plea filed by former Deputy Chief Minister of State, Om Prakash Soni challenging the decategorization of his security by the State Government. He claimed that the decategorization of the security was not on account of any individual assessment made by the committee based on any inputs.

It was further his contention that the de-categorization had been done without issuing any show-cause notice to him and associating the petitioner in connection with any information.

It may be noted that the security of several persons was withdrawn/reduced by the state government vide common order dated May 05, 2022. This matter assumes significance as the security cover of Punjabi singer and Congress leader Sidhu Moosewala, who was shot dead in Mansa district, was also reduced days before his murder.

Since then, several petitions have been moved before the HC challenging the decision of the government to decategorize their security cover.

In the instant matter, hearing the plea of Soni, the State counsel was directed to bring relevant material in a sealed cover for the perusal of the Court in order to see whether withdrawal/down-gradation/de-categorization of security of beneficiaries has been done on the basis of some objective data.

Regarding the withdrawal order's availability in the public domain, the Court sought to know from the Government how the names of those who had lost their security details were available in the public domain.

Advocate Rukhmini Bobde and Advocate Madhu Dayal appeared for the petitioner. Satya Pal Jain, Asstt. Solicitor General of India with Saigeeta Srivastava, Advocate, appeared for UOI.

Case title - OM PRAKASH SONI VS STATE OF PUNJAB AND ORS

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