Chandigarh: Harbhajan Singh has approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court challenging the Punjab government’s decision to withdraw his security cover.
In his petition, the former cricketer-turned-Rajya Sabha MP has sought scrapping of the April 25 order through which his security was withdrawn, alleging that the move was arbitrary and carried out without any fresh threat assessment or prior notice.
Singh has argued that the decision has put his life and that of his family at risk. He told the court that soon after the withdrawal of security, his residence in Jalandhar witnessed protests and vandalism, with derogatory slogans reportedly written on the walls.
The High Court has taken note of the plea and issued a notice to the Punjab government, seeking its response on the matter. It has also emphasised the need to ensure that no harm comes to Singh or his family while the case is under consideration.
During proceedings, the state government contended that Singh is not currently residing in Punjab, a point raised to justify the withdrawal of his security cover.
The controversy comes in the backdrop of Singh’s recent political shift from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), following which his Punjab Police security detail—reportedly comprising multiple personnel—was withdrawn.
Subsequently, the Centre stepped in to provide him security cover through central forces in both Punjab and Delhi.
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