HC disbands body recommending security to people

Allahabad, Mar 21 (UNI) Allahabad High Court today disbanded the newly constituted high-powered committee (HPC) and ordered formation of a new HPC to evaluate the grant of security by the Election Commission (EC).

However, the court continued the stay on grant of gunners to 29 persons approved by the present HPC until re-valuation by the new committee, to be constituted with the EC approval.

Passing the order on a writ petition of Gayur Hasan, a division bench comprising Justices Imtiyaz Murtaza and Amar Saran, directed this order be placed before the EC within six days for immediate re-constitution of HPC.

As the examination of confidential report shows in many cases, gunners are continuing with persons in spite of the earlier HC order to withdraw the same.

''We now direct the district police chief ie SSPs/SPs in Uttar Pradesh to file affidavits within two weeks mentioning the name and number of persons in their districts, who continue to be provided with security from any source. The affidavits shall also be filed before the EC. The SSPs/SPs concerned will be liable for correctness of information being sought by the court,'' the judges noted.

The court said, ''We do not agree with the argument of the advocate general there is any uncanalised unrestricted powers even with the chief minister to grant gunners to anyone.'' The court will hear the case on April 9, 2007.

UNI