Continue security cover for youth Congress leader, verify threat perception: SC to J-K govt

The Jammu and Kashmir government today informed the Supreme Court that it has provided security cover to a youth Congress leader, an 'X-2 category protectee', as per the entitlement after he claimed that his security had been withdrawn without any notice.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud said that the state government would keep providing security to Abid Imitaz Bhat, national secretary of the All India Youth Congress, and would consider and verify the threat perception while reviewing his security cover.

Lawyer Shoeb Alam, appearing for the state government, said that at present Bhat was being provided two PSOs when he is in Kashmir and one PSO in Jammu as per the entitlement.

The bench considered the submission and disposed of Bhat's plea seeking initiation of contempt proceedings against the state government.

Earlier, the state police had denied the claim of Bhat that his security was withdrawn and had asserted that the recommendation of Security Review Coordination Committee (SRCC) was implemented in his case as well.

An affidavit filed by Munir Ahmad Khan, Additional Director General of Police (security), Jammu and Kashmir, had said that Bhat's case was placed before the SRCC and after assessment of threat, he was categorised as a 'X-2 protectee' by the panel at its meeting on February 19 this year.

The affidavit had said that Bhat was stationed in Delhi and as per the procedure, he was provided with security as and when he visits Jammu and Kashmir pursuant to his intimation to the security control room.

On May 22, the apex court had asked the Jammu and Kashmir government to file an affidavit on the plea by Bhat who has sought initiation of contempt proceedings against the authorities for withdrawing his security without giving him any notice.

In March, the state government had informed the top court that it has provided X-2 category security cover to Bhat, who has complained of threat to his life.

The apex court had then directed the state to continue to provide security cover to him unless there was a change in threat perception and said the state government should give due notice to Bhat before his security cover was withdrawn.