PIL in High Court on whereabouts of Rahul Gandhi

Lucknow, March 1: A local lawyer on Saturday filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in the Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court seeking to know the whereabouts of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi who has taken a sabbatical.

Petitioner Ashok Pande said he deemed it necessary for the safety of Gandhi, Congress Vice-President and an MP, and because the reputation of Government of India was involved.

Pande contended that since Gandhi enjoyed security cover of the elite Special Protection Group (SPG), he could not disappear without proper information.

"I have prayed that the court should direct Government of India (through Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs) and Director General (of) SPG to search for Rahul Gandhi and if he is not under the security of SPG, it should take him under its cover," he said.

Gandhi has gone on a sabbatical for a few weeks but his destination was not disclosed by the Congress, fuelling speculation about his whereabouts.

PTI