BJP Rajya Sabha MP Harbhajan Singh has moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court following the withdrawal of his security cover by the Punjab police. The former cricketer, who was elected to the upper house of Parliament in 2022, had been provided security after he began receiving threats.
Background of the Security Cover
Harbhajan Singh, a prominent figure in Indian cricket and politics, was initially granted security cover by the Punjab government after intelligence inputs indicated potential threats to his life. The security arrangement was in place for several months, during which he was provided with a personal security officer (PSO) and an escort vehicle.
Withdrawal of Security
However, in a recent decision, the Punjab police withdrew the security cover, citing a reassessment of the threat level. The police claimed that the threat perception had diminished and that the security deployment was no longer warranted. This move came as a surprise to Harbhajan Singh and his supporters, who argued that the decision was politically motivated.
Legal Action
In response, Harbhajan Singh approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court, seeking a review of the police's decision. His petition argues that the withdrawal of security violates his fundamental right to safety and that the police failed to provide adequate justification for the move. The court is expected to hear the matter in the coming days.
Political Reactions
The incident has sparked a political debate, with the BJP accusing the Punjab government of targeting its leaders. Meanwhile, the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab defended the decision, stating that security allocations are based on objective threat assessments and not political considerations.
Harbhajan Singh, who has been a vocal critic of the AAP government, has not yet commented publicly on the development. His legal team is confident that the court will restore his security cover.
