Fri Nov 22 10:13:11 UTC 2024: **Supreme Court Rejects Punjab’s Request for Witness Statements in Modi Convoy Security Lapse Case**
NEW DELHI, November 22, 2024 – The Supreme Court of India today refused a request from the Punjab government for access to witness statements from the Justice Indu Malhotra Committee’s investigation into a security breach that stranded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s convoy in January 2022.
The Punjab government sought the statements to take action against officials deemed responsible for the lapse, which occurred when protesting farmers blocked a flyover, forcing the Prime Minister to return without attending scheduled events.
The Supreme Court bench, led by Justice Surya Kant, ruled that Punjab could conduct its own inquiry without the witness statements. The court found no grounds to grant the state’s request.
The court’s decision comes after then-Chief Justice N.V. Ramana (now retired) publicly summarized the committee’s confidential report in August 2022. He revealed that the report blamed a senior Punjab police officer for failing to maintain law and order despite sufficient personnel and prior notice of the Prime Minister’s route.
The Justice Malhotra Committee was tasked with investigating the security breach, identifying those responsible, recommending remedial measures, and making broader recommendations for the security of constitutional functionaries. The Supreme Court’s refusal to release the witness statements marks a significant development in this ongoing case.
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