Red beacons not people-friendly: SC

The Supreme Court on Monday came down heavily on the disruptive effect of VIP movements on city traffic and the common man.

The Supreme Court on Monday came down heavily on the disruptive effect of VIP movements on city traffic and the common man.

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A bench of justice GS Singhvi and justice Gyan Sudha Misra, which was hearing a petition challenging the Z+ security of Pramod Tiwari, a Congress leader from Uttar Pradesh, cited the example of a critically ill person, in need of hospitalisation, should he get caught in a traffic snarl resulting from VIP movement.

“The police would simply apologise and not allow the patient to be rushed. But, the patient who might be the only child of his parents might just die,” said the court, even as it sought details on the criteria for getting a red beacon and a VIP security cover.

The court asked the petitioner’s counsel senior advocate Harish Salve to submit the details, and posted the case for a hearing in January 2013.

It also indicated that it would seek the Centre’s intervention on the issue eventually. The bench also wondered if there were more security personnel protecting the VIPs instead of guarding the general law and order situation.

It also said it was strange that persons facing serious criminal charges were also provided policemen for security.