UP told to withdraw security for 830 'VVIPs'

The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court Thursday directed the Uttar Pradesh government to withdraw unauthorized security provided to 830 people and recover money spent on them within a fortnight.

The court gave the directives after the government filed a counter affidavit to a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by social activist Nutan Thakur.

The affidavit signed by Deputy Superintendent of Police Ajay Kumar Singh informed the court that 830 people beyond the authorized list enjoyed security provided by the state government.

Of these, 170 got security cover free of cost while 650 paid for it.

As per the affidavit, the total expenditure on these people came to Rs.4.83 crore. Of this, Rs.3 crore had been recovered while Rs.1.83 crore still needed to be taken back.

The affidavit also provided the names of many who got security even without any recommendation of the district security committee.

Displaying displeasure over this, Justice Imtiyaz Murtaza and Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya asked the government why the rest of the money had not been recovered from the so-called VIPs.

They ordered that this money should be taken back within 15 days.

The high court said that in case the recovery was not made, the senior superintendent and superintendent of police of the area would be held liable.

The next date of hearing has been fixed for Dec 2.