A Gwalior-based advocate has filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in the Gwalior bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court against the decision of the Union government to withdraw special protection group (SPG) protection of Gandhi family.
SPG cover was withdrawn recently for Congress president Sonia Gandhi, former party president Rahul Gandhi and general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
The advocate, Umesh Bohre, has sought immediate restoration of protection to the Gandhi family on the grounds that two members of the family, who were former prime ministers (Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi), were assassinated. The Gwalior bench of HC has listed the matter for hearing on November 14.
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“The Gandhi family is a renowned family nationally and internationally and their lives are in constant danger especially in the present circumstances where the country is tense following abrogation of article 370 in Kashmir and Ayodhya verdict. I have prayed for immediate restoration of cover to the three Gandhi family members as they are in dire need of the protection in the light of the fact that two former prime ministers belonging to the family were killed,” Bohre, the petitioner and advocate said while speaking to THE WEEK.
He mentioned that the Section 4 of the SPG Act provides for cover to prime minister, his/her immediate family, former prime ministers and their immediate families.
He also said the Central government has said the cover was withdrawn on the basis of a report of investigative/security agencies. “We have urged the court to seek the report that formed the basis of decision to withdraw the protection,” Bohre said.
In his petition, Bohre has made the prime minister's office, the home ministry, the defence ministry, the director of SPG and two others as respondents.
