Z, Y category security cover for retd judges
SHILLONG: The State government on Monday will file an appeal against the order of the High Court of Meghalaya that had insisted on Z and Y category security cover for former Chief Justice Uma Nath Singh and retired Judge TNK Singh, respectively.
It was before their retirement that the division bench comprising Uma Nath Singh and TNK Singh on January 7 this year directed the Central and the State governments to extend Z and Y category security cover to them even after their retirement in view of reported ‘threat perception in the country’.
The order also indicated that Meghalaya government should provide security to them though they reside outside the State after retirement.
The State government was compelled to file the appeal after the Supreme Court wanted a reply following the petition filed by one Sajay Laloo from Shillong challenging the High Court order.
Supreme Court lawyer and counsel for the State government Ranjan Mukherjee said over phone from Delhi on Sunday that though three weeks’ time was given by the Apex Court to file the reply, the State has decided to file the appeal on Monday itself much before the deadline.
The appeal will be against the order of the High Court dated January 7, 13 and 27, 2016.
Mukherjee said as far as providing security to retired chief justices and retired judges are concerned, it will be the task of the respective states where they reside and not of Meghalaya.
Moreover, if any retired chief justice or judge visits the State, security will be provided after assessing the threat perception.