Chandigarh, May 14: A legal battle has emerged over the security status of Rajya Sabha MP Harbhajan Singh after the Punjab government reduced his state-provided protection to zero in late April. The move came immediately after Singh ended his affiliation with the Aam Aadmi Party to join the BJP. While the former athlete previously held Z-category status with 22 personnel, the state records indicated he was only officially sanctioned for a Y-category detail of eight guards.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court is currently examining how the lawmaker was provided with 15 additional “unofficial” personnel during his time with the ruling party. Sources within the department stated that no written communication or updated threat reports existed to justify the enhancement to Z-category. Singh moved the court on April 30, affirming that the sudden withdrawal of his cover was a retaliatory measure by the state administration.
In his submission, Singh stated that a mob attempted to breach the gate of his home and shouted slogans following his political transition. He maintained that the lack of state protection during this period posed a severe risk to his safety. “The security in Delhi and Punjab was withdrawn in a manner that was both arbitrary and vindictive,” Singh affirmed. He noted that the Union government eventually stepped in to provide paramilitary cover through the CRPF.
Senior police officials maintained that details regarding individual security covers are sensitive and generally withheld from public discussion for safety reasons. However, the High Court’s inquiry focuses on the lack of a formal basis for the expanded detail Singh enjoyed prior to April 24. Singh asserted that the state’s actions were intended to intimidate him for his political choices, while the court continues to deliberate on the legality of the shifting security assignments.
