26/11:HC seeks reply on inaction over Pradhan Comm suggestions

The Bombay High Court today asked Maharashtra government and NIA to file reply to a PIL challenging inaction by the state in implementing recommendations of the Ram Pradhan committee while passing Maharashtra State Security Corporation Act which deals with security to government bodies, private and public sector units.
The direction was given by a bench headed by Justice V M Kanade which asked the state government and NIA to file their response within four weeks.
The PIL said though the object of the Act was to give protection and security to government organisations and public and private sector units, the State Security Corporation has failed to perform its duties, thereby jeopardising peace and security and protection given to these undertakings.

The PIL said that the government had constituted a Committee under the Chairmanship of Ram Pradhan, Ex-Governor and Central Home Secretary, for investigating the reasons behind the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai and recommend measures to combat similar terrorist attacks in future which threaten sovereignty, security and integrity of the country.
In order to fight similar future national threats to the nation, the Government passed and enactment known as National Investigation Agencies Act in 2008 thereby creating NIA with powers and duties to probe and prosecute offences against India. The government also enacted NIA Rules, 2008.
The petitioner's advocate Manoj Sawardekar argued that the State Security Corporation is not functioning to achieve the object and intent of the Maharashtra State Security Corporation Act based on Ram Pradhan Committee's recommendations.

The suggestions given by the Ram Pradhan Committee have been totally ignored by the Corporation, the PIL alleged.