Security based on threat, not status, says SC

A person cannot be entitled to Y or Z category security merely on grounds of being an ex-minister, the Supreme Court said on Wednesday while refusing to entertain the plea of a BSP leader from Uttar Pradesh.

A person cannot be entitled to Y or Z category security merely on grounds of being an ex-minister, the Supreme Court said on Wednesday while refusing to entertain the plea of a BSP leader from Uttar Pradesh.

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Ramveer Upadhyaya had moved the SC seeking security cover that was withdrawn after the Samajwadi Party came to power in the state. Upadhyaya’s lawyer claimed that his client could get targeted in the same way Congress leaders were, in the Maoist attack in Bastar. The apex court bench wondered whether authorities had provided security to the families of policemen who lost their lives in the Bastar attack when Ramveer’s counsel recalled the incident.

“If you, as a matter of fact, are not entitled under the rule for security you cannot be given security. This can’t be given at the expense of the state exchequer. You can have security at your own expense,” it added, noting the Uttar Pradesh government report concluded there was no threat to the former minister.

Ramveer has challenged Akhilesh Yadav government’s decision to withdraw the security cover that he enjoyed since 2004.