Delhi HC rejects plea against Rahul Gandhi over SPG security

Centre’s standing counsel Anil Soni said the government was also concerned about Gandhi’s security, but skipping it was an ‘irresponsible’ behaviour.

The Delhi High Court rejected a plea against Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday alleging he had skipped SPG security and put himself in danger.

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi’s car had come under attack from some stone-pelters when he was on a tour of flood-affected areas in Gujarat in early August. (PTI File Photo)

Holding that the petition against Gandhi was not maintainable, a bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar said “we are not the appropriate forum” to decide on security aspects.

“We are not going to decide on security. For security also, we depend on the government. We rely on their assessment,” the Acting Chief Justice observed and dismissed the plea.

It also said in case any action was required, the authorities were open to deal with it.

Centre’s standing counsel Anil Soni said the government was also concerned about Gandhi’s security, but skipping it was an “irresponsible” behaviour.

He submitted that if something happened to him, “we (government) will be held responsible.”

The court was hearing a plea by Mumbai BJP spokesperson Tuhin A Sinha who had sought a direction to Gandhi and the Centre to ensure that the Congress leader does not violate the Special Protection Group Act and put himself in danger by giving a slip to the SPG.

The petitioner also sought a direction to Gandhi to submit an affidavit to the court that he would not travel without taking SPG cover.

Gandhi’s car had come under attack from some stone-pelters when he was on a tour of flood-affected areas in Gujarat in early August.

The BJP leader had then reportedly said Gandhi had not followed the security protocol even when he travelled abroad.