By IANS
New Delhi : Politicians are not national assets that need to be protected, the Delhi High Court observed Thursday, adding that the security cover given to political leaders was often a nuisance for the common man.
“If there is a threat to the lives of the politicians, they should remain in the confines of their homes and offices,” a bench headed by Justice T.S. Thakur said.
“You should not let these men (politicians) to come out. Their presence in public places itself threatens the common men. I do not know why it has become a matter of prestige for them to move with 10-15 uniformed security personnel carrying lethal weapon.”
The court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Rajiv Awasti on the police reforms, seeking a division of the force into two wings to deal with law and order matters and investigation independently.
The court said people have been put in inconvenience due to the overwhelming presence of security guards accompanying politicians in public places.
“It has become fashionable and a status symbol. The more people (security men) surrounds these people (politicians) the more prestigious they feel. It is obnoxious that common men are forced to stay on the sidelines and are prevented to walk on the pavements when the politicians pass,” the court said.
Earlier the court had asked the home ministry to state the names of the people who were provided with the VIP security in the capital. The ministry and Delhi Police had submitted a list of about 70 VIPs who were provided with security at the state cost.
The ministry and Delhi Police had also produced separately in sealed covers the lists of 355 and 27 people, who were provided personal security cover either for their position or threat perception respectively in the capital.
“When the security cover is given, the VIPs flaunt it. It has become a status symbol and fashionable to have security cover,” observed the court.
“When common men are being killed in bomb blasts on the street, old people are strangulated in their houses, what is the reason of providing individual security to so many people?” the court questioned.
About 3,000 police personnel are engaged at a cost of more than Rs.200 million to provide security to the VIPs in the capital, said advocate Awasti appearing in person.