HC dimisses plea against Rahul Gandhi for skipping SPG security

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday refused to entertain a PIL filed against Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi alleging he put himself in danger by skipping SPG security cover given to him.

The court, while dismissing the plea filed by Mumbai BJP spokesperson Tuhin A. Sinha, said it is for the government to decide the security aspects and the court was not the appropriate forum for the issue.

Sinha had sought a direction to Gandhi and the Central government 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.

"We are not going to decide on security. Even for our security, we depend on the government. We rely on their assessment. We are not entertaining this plea, it's the responsibility of government," said the court, adding that petition is not maintainable.

Advocate Anil Soni, appearing for Central government, told the court said the government was also concerned about Gandhi's security and his skipping security cover was "irresponsible" behaviour.

The plea said that several times Gandhi has travelled skipping SPG and put himself in danger and he should be asked to submit an affidavit to the court that he would not travel without taking SPG cover.

In August this year, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had said that Gandh hasn't taken SPG security on six foreign trips over the last two years.

He had blamed Gandhi for the attack on his car in Gujarat, saying the Congress leader "did not follow security protocols".

Gandhi was paying a visit to the flood-affected areas in Gujarat when stones were thrown at his car and his convoy by black flag waving protesters.

--IANS

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