SC's dig at hordes of security personnel guarding Asaram Bapu

In a veiled dig to arrested controversial godman Asaram Bapu, the Supreme Court today said hordes of security personnel have been guarding one accused which is not needed.

"For last four-five days, the electronic media is showing that hordes of security personnel are guarding one accused. There is no need of this kind of security," a bench comprising justices G S Singhvi and V Gopala Gowda said.

The bench, which is hearing a petition relating to the misuse of red beacons and VIP security by various categories of persons, also said security personnel are not adequate in numbers for common persons.

"There have been instances where drug peddlers enter either in religious fray or in political fray and then he starts grabbing properties. Law journals are full of such cases. These persons are involved in heinous crimes," it said.

During the hearing, the bench reacted sharply to a submission of senior advocate Harish Salve that an Additional District and Sessions Judge, now presiding over a special anti-corruption court at Tis Hazari district courts complex here, has written to senior Punjab police officers demanding security cover, along with a pilot car, during his visit to the state.

"We are going to refer it to the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court," the court said.

"The (SC) registry is directed to send a copy of this note (submitted by Salve) to the Registrar of the Delhi High Court, who shall place the same before the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court or in-charge of protocol for further action," it said and asked the counsel for Punjab not to provide the demanded security cover to the trial court judge "under any circumstances".