PAC should seek pertmission before honouring VIP: HC

Allahabad, Oct 18 (UNI) A division bench of the Allahabad High Court today observed that if PAC (Provincial Armed Constabulary) intends to provide a guard of honour to an important person, prior permission of the sector DIG or PAC headquarters ought to be obtained.

The Court said PAC should not be used for routine drama, cinema or circus duties and concert parties and such entertainment should be within the competence of the civil police to handle.

The bench comprising Justice Amitava Lala and Justice Shiv Shanker passed this order on a writ petition file by Jitendra Singh alias Jatan Sirohi, a native of Saidpur village, and others of Bulandshahr district seeking adequate security in the form of Central or PAC force.

Denying the demand of the petitioners to provide them Central or PAC force, the bench remarked that PAC's may be used only with lathis, canes or partly armed with lathis/canes for controlling the crowd during VIP visits.

The force should put on civil clothes on such occasion and it cannot escort the prisoners, the bench observed.

The petitioner had pleaded that his life was in danger as his enemies in collusion with the local police and local administration are trying to kill him. The petitioner is involved in 90 heinous cases in different police stations.

UNI XC JL ATI AK BST2000