Protect Rahul in Tiruchy, says Madras High Court
Congress VP visit is to meet farmers of TN to find out and know about agrarian crisis
Chennai: The Madras high court directed the Director General of Police, to ensure "full, sufficient and proper protection" to Rahul Gandhi, Congress vice president, during his visit to Tiruchirappalli on July 23 (Thursday). Justice M. Sathyaranarayanan gave the directive while disposing of a petition from advocate A P. Suryaprakasam, convenor of the legal cell of the TN unit of the Congress.
The judge said the petitioner submitted that Rahul Gandhi, MP (Lok Sabha), is visiting Tiruchy to meet agriculturists and farmers of TN to find out and know about agrarian crisis looming large all over India and in particular the state of TN.
He further submitted that Rahul will also be attending the birthday celebrations of late Kamaraj, former CM of TN, on July 23 and there is a likelihood of a mammoth crowd at the function.The petitioner also expressed his apprehension that though Rahul Gandhi is being protected by the SPG under Z-Plus security category, the outer ring security has to be provided by the state police and he may not able to get such a protection on account of the lapses on the part of the state police.
The petitioner had sent a representation dated July 21 to the DGP requesting him to direct the officers concerned to provide sufficient and necessary police protection to Rahul Gandhi and since he has not received a response from the DGP, he filed this petition.
Special government pleader V. Subbiah, on instructions, submitted that Rahul Gandhi belongs to Z-Plus category and apart from that the inner ring of protection is provided by the personnel of the SPG and the outer ring protection is provided by personnel from the TN state police.
He assured that “adequate, sufficient and proper protection” would be given to Rahul Gandhi during his visit to Tiruchy and there will not be any lapses or let-up while protecting him. "The said submission is recorded", the judge added and gave the direction.
The judge also directed the organisers of the function to give the approximate number of persons likely to attend the function, to the local police in advance so as to enable them to look after the law and order problem also.