Earlier, Salve had also filed a plea questioning the

stoppage of traffic and other security paraphernalia put in place for facilitating the movement of a high functionaries during the cremation of former Prime Minister I K Gujral on December 3 here. During the hearing, Justice Singhvi today said, "I K Gujral would not have done it in his lifetime but his body did". Salve said, "I just wanted to draw the attention of the court that in my colony, five vehicles of Haryana Police are stationed outside a posh house" and on being enquired, it came to light to they were guarding a relative of the Chief Minister. "How the police of a state can enter into other state's territory with arms... It has become a tradition. Earlier, a businessman was beaten up by Punjab police in connection with a case... Luckily, he had the boarding pass of Indian Airlines flight from Bangalore to Delhi. All are not so lucky," he said. Taking note of the submissions, the court said all citizens should be treated at par and passed a slew of directions seeking responses on several issues including the total number of persons who have been provided security at state expense. The bench, in its order, said, "Details of security provided to children, family members and the relatives of the public functionaries within and outside the state be also provided. Details of the persons, who are facing criminal charges and to whom security has been provided at state expenses, be also provided." Considering Salve's pleas based on affidavits of various state governments on security given to persons, including businessmen like Vijay Mallya, the bench sought a response on such covers provided to private individuals. It wanted to know whether the private individuals foot their security bills or they are borne by the state. (More)