Why should cars with red lights get precedence over others, asks Justice Singhvi
Observing that an indiscriminate exercise in providing security to VIPs resulted in abuse of power, the Supreme Court on Thursday directed the Centre and all States and Union Territories to furnish details of expenses they incurred under this head.
A Bench of Justices G.S. Singhvi and H.L. Gokhale, hearing a petition, asked for details of the security provided to family members of the VVIPs, including those with a criminal background. However, it did not seek to know the expenses on the security of constitutional functionaries such as the President, the Vice-President, the Prime Minister, the Chief Justice of India and the Speaker and their counter parts in the States.
‘Endemic problem’
Earlier, senior counsel Harish Salve gave various instances to drive home the point that ‘VIP security’, by virtue of positions held and otherwise, was being misused including wrong use of beacon lights.
In Tamil Nadu, the Prince of Arcot was being provided VIP security because of the status accorded to him by the Britishers, who did so for political reasons, Mr. Salve said. “The problem has become endemic and part of our political culture.”
The Bench also directed the State and Union Territories to “provide details of reviews undertaken on the security provided to public and private individuals,” and asked them to file copies of the rules/orders which empowered the police or other functionaries to close roads for VIP movements/visits.
When Mr. Salve pointed out that blowing sirens during VVIP movements created nuisance, the Bench sought replies from the Centre and the Delhi government, but said ambulances and vehicles of security forces would not fall under regulatory measures.
Abuse of power
“If streets are unsafe, then it has to be unsafe for the Secretary of the State also,” Justice Singhvi said. He wanted Mr. Salve to find out the genesis of the ‘red light’ culture. “Every one has a fundamental right to use a public road. Why should those cars with ‘red lights’ get precedence over others? Indiscriminate use of power in placing VIPs in a high dignitary category results in abuse of power. Positional security or security due to threat perception becomes a symbol of power. If power is misused, it runs riot on ordinary citizens.”
Continuing in the same vein, Justice Singhvi said: “Withdraw the offensive symbol [VIP security except for high constitutional dignitaries, medical and uniformed services] of our democracy. Let us treat our citizens on a par.”
The Bench posted further hearing to March 14.
Keywords: Supreme Court, VIP security issue
An elected member elected by majority votes (as per their statements in parliament while forming any law like lokpal bill etc etc )then why they needs security when majority are with them.Is it not true to cover their illegal work they need security? When voter ask for security nobody is interested.
The law should change,anyone going for election will not be allowed any security this will show how popular he is in his area.
"Indiscriminate use of power in placing VIPs in a high category becomes a symbol of power" and "Let us treat the citizens on a par". Such golden words coming from the eminence of our SC judges speak volumes for the care and interests they always take towards the welfare of the aam admi in striking contrast to our 'VIPs' who only offer lip sympathy with no concrete action beyond that. It will be a startling revelation when we come to know how much of the State exchequer is being misused by our 'VIPs' under the garb of 'VIP' security.
it is a criminal waste of public money ,politicians wants to behave like super beings,this culture should be demolished
You may be surprised to know that our State Ministers whom
99.9999 % of the public cannot remember and recognize, used to have a
security jeep ahead of their convoy when they travel by road. When
they go by train gun trotting security guards used to protect them on the Platforms and security officers in their A/C coupe. They always misuse their SOs by giving some menial jobs like carrying their luggage’s, babies on their arms .Another wasteful exercise is that a battalion of officers used to receive them at the platform .Watching
this vanity even the Secretaries are expecting their staff to welcome them with shawls .In the context of high cost fuel era ,why should our political bosses should indulge in such shameful exercise we don't know. Perhaps this is the price that we have to pay for democracy .The Editor can write an article on this topic and create a
public awareness on this avoidable obnoxious vulgar display of vanity and ego and save poor tax payers money.
Good to see this being highlighted. But one cannot help but wonder if the Justices' words and anguish will have any force at all. And while we are on this topic, I want to know if there is any other Hindu reader who cringes every time he/she looks at the name of Mrs. Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law among those exempted from security checks at the airports? Enough is enough - we need a change in our political culture.
I believe that the honorable Justice Singhvi has it absolutely right - “If streets are unsafe,
then it has to be unsafe for the Secretary of the State also". The only exceptions should be
for ambulances and law enforcement vehicles - ambulances for their need to travel faster due to a medical emergency, and law enforcement for their need to make our streets safer.
For the rest, they should be on par with the common man.
for the first time i am feeling so proud of our legal system, its caring for the common man also.......
Sir
The efforts of Supreme Court are laudable in enforcing democracy and equality in India.
WOW! At long last the Supreme Court has taken upon itself the question of belling the cat in regard to the diciest issue troubling the common man no end and leaving him totally frustrated that in a Democracy(as our great political leaders have shamelessly
been proclaiming that India is all these years)there are many
thousands who are MORE EQUAL than others.It would be interesting to have the full details of the number of persons(other than those excluded by the SC)enjoying security,giving numbers in each case and the monthly expenses being incurred in each case.Incidentally who decides on the death perception and how or is this fact manufactured to suit the ego of the individual?
Bravo SC ! Better late than never ! It seems that something shows up in the horizon of Indian Justice system as a welcome sign ! Please keep it up !
Way to go Supreme Court of India. You are our ray of hope.
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