Harbhajan Singh Challenges Punjab Government's Decision to Withdraw Security in Court
Harbhajan Singh Takes Legal Action Against Security Withdrawal
Former cricketer and Rajya Sabha MP Harbhajan Singh has filed a legal challenge in the Punjab and Haryana High Court against the state government's decision to revoke his police protection. This action came shortly after he transitioned from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In his petition, he has requested the court to restore his security immediately.
In his application, Singh questioned the rationale behind the removal of his police protection and urged the court to issue an order for its reinstatement. His security detail, which consisted of around 9-10 police personnel, was withdrawn on Saturday, April 25. Notably, Singh had recently joined the BJP alongside six other MPs, including Raghav Chadha.
Court Issues Notice to Punjab Government
The High Court has issued a notice to the Punjab government, seeking clarification regarding the decision to withdraw Harbhajan's security. In his petition, Singh referenced protests that occurred outside his residence, where the term "traitor" was reportedly spray-painted on the walls, indicating a threat to him and his family. The court has requested the government to respond based on its security assessment. The hearing for this case is scheduled for May 12.
AAP Protests Outside MPs' Residences
On Saturday, AAP activists staged protests outside the residences of Rajya Sabha MPs Harbhajan Singh, Ashok Mittal, and Rajinder Gupta, who had recently defected to the BJP. Protesters spray-painted the word 'traitor' on the outer walls of their homes in Ludhiana and Jalandhar.
On Friday, AAP members Raghav Chadha and Sandeep Pathak announced their departure from the party, joining the BJP along with five other MPs. Other AAP MPs who made the switch included Ashok Mittal, Harbhajan Singh, Rajinder Gupta, Swati Maliwal, and Vikramjeet Sahni. Demonstrators chanted slogans like "Punjab de gaddar" (traitors of Punjab), accusing them of betraying the public trust.