HC directs Punjab to provide security to Bikram Singh Majithia based on MHA’s report

Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana high court has ordered the Punjab govt to provide security to Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia in view of a threat perception report shared by the Union ministry of home affairs (MHA).
"In view of the threat assessment made by the MHA, this court deems it appropriate to direct the state of Punjab to ensure that adequate protection is provided to the petitioner (Majithia), and no harm is caused to him," the HC directed in its order released on Saturday.
Justice Kuldeep Tiwari passed these orders while hearing a petition filed by Bikram Singh Majithia. Justice Tiwari also directed the chief secretary and Punjab DGP to take a fresh decision, especially in view of inputs conveyed by MHA, to evaluate the security cover required for Majithia. "For this purpose, the authorities are at liberty to make consultations with the MHA. After completion of the above exercise, a fresh affidavit be filed before this Court on or before the subsequent date of hearing," ordered the HC while adjourning the hearing for May 12.
During the hearing of the case on May 2, Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav filed a reply on the issue on behalf of Punjab Police, and Satya Pal Jain, additional solicitor general, filed a report of the MHA pertaining to the petitioner's threat perception. Jain also informed the court that the relevant information had already been conveyed to the chief secretary, Punjab, on May 1, thereby enabling the latter to take an independent decision in the above regard.
After going through the reports furnished respectively by the State of Punjab and by the MHA, the HC observed that a collective reading revealed that the state of Punjab made the threat assessment based upon past incidents, whereas the MHA made the threat assessment based on recent inputs.