State to file SLP against HC’s Z-plus security order

SHILLONG: The state government will file a Special Leave Petition (SLP) challenging the order of the High Court of Meghalaya relating to providing security to former Chief Justice Uma Nath Singh and retired Judge TNK Singh wherever they are at the expense of the state.
Earlier last week, the Supreme Court heard a petition filed by Sajay Laloo from State challenging the order of the High Court which stated that the serving and retired Chief Justices and Judges must be given Z-plus security besides treating them as state guests. After hearing the matter, the Apex Court had sought a response from the state government.
Supreme Court lawyer and counsel for the state government Ranjan Mukherjee said over phone from Delhi that during the hearing on Monday, he had conveyed to the Court that the state government would file an SLP challenging the three orders of the High Court in this regard passed on January 7, 13 and 27 respectively this year.
Mukherjee said that he had consultations with the Meghalaya home secretary and the law secretary, and the state government has decided to file the SLP in the Apex Court within two weeks.
“The Court recorded my statement of filing the SLP challenging the orders of the High Court within two weeks,” Mukherjee said, adding that as and when the SLP is filed, it will be tagged along with the petition of Laloo.
Regarding the matters related to security provided to the retired Chief Justice and Judge, Mukherjee said that he had provided the information in this regard in a sealed cover to the Court which has been accepted and kept on record.