In a recent judicial decision, the Supreme Court halted the initiation of a roadway adjacent to the residence of Punjab’s Chief Executive, Bhagwant Mann, located in Chandigarh, as a trial measure.
A panel presided over by Justice Sanjiv Khanna, accompanied by Justice Dipankar Datta, took cognizance of a petition lodged by the Punjab government contesting a directive from the Punjab and Haryana High Court. This directive arose within the context of self-generated concerns addressing traffic congestion and urban infrastructure deficiencies in Chandigarh.
The tribunal noted the opposition voiced by both the Central Government and the Punjab administration against the opening of the roadway, which has remained closed since the 1980s due to perceived security risks.
The Punjab government’s legal representative urged for a suspension of the high court’s directive, invoking the tragic demise of Rajiv Gandhi consequent to the withdrawal of Special Protection Group (SPG) security detail. “Your esteemed justices are undoubtedly cognizant of the lamentable episode involving the withdrawal of SPG protection for Rajiv Gandhi. Prompt measures were undertaken thereafter. Such vigilance is presently awaited…”, asserted the Punjab counsel. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing on behalf of the Chandigarh administration, emphasized the asymmetrical challenge faced by security forces, wherein terrorists need to succeed only once, while security agencies must prevail consistently.
While temporarily restraining the implementation of the high court’s directive, the bench emphasized the collective aspiration to avert untoward incidents and solicited a response from the administration of the Union Territory of Chandigarh by September 2.
“Institute notice. The injunction concerning the trial opening of the roadway is hereby suspended until further directives, though the proceedings pertaining to the writ petition before the high court may proceed,” decreed the apex court in its ruling.
The legal counsel representing Punjab lamented the resurgence of terrorism in recent years, citing instances of grenade attacks targeting intelligence facilities. Mehta further contested certain assertions made by the high court regarding intelligence assessments. “How can the high court dismiss intelligence appraisals as mere fabrications?” queried Mehta. The bench acknowledged the necessity of such remarks while underscoring the imperative of mitigating public inconvenience.
The high court had ordered the trial opening of a 500-meter segment outside Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s residence, facilitating connectivity between Sukhna Lake and Nayagaon, after decades of closure, which had compelled lengthy detours for the public.
