SHILLONG: The Megh-alaya High Court has directed the Central and the state governments to extend Z and Y category security cover given to the Chief Justice and other judges of this high court even after their retirement in view of reported threat perception in the country.
The direction came as Chief Justice Uma Nath Singh and one of the judges are to demit office later this month, after the HC issued orders and judgement in ‘high risk cases’ connected with insurgents in the state.
A division bench of the Chief Justice and Justice TNK Singh on Thursday directed the Joint Secretary, Union Home Ministry, to immediately issue necessary orders to provide security at the place of residence of the Chief Justice and the judges after they demit the office and during their journey or shifting from one place to another.
The court while passing this order also referred to three significant judgments it had passed pertaining to three ‘high risk cases’. They are restriction on high rise building, banning of bandhs and suggestion to implement AFSPA in Garo Hills
The order came following an affidavit filed MHA Joint Secretary (NE) Satyendra Garg that security cover for the chief justice and the judges will ‘continue’ till a fresh assessment is made considering their place of stay after they retire.
Amicus Curiae K Sultan Singh asserted that that the insurgent groups operating in North East have national as well as trans-border networks and base which has reckoned the need for security covers. It is not clear where will Chief Justice Uma Nath Singh will go after his retirement on January 14. However, Justice TNK Singh will go to Imphal, his native place, after he demits his office on February 1. He will continue to enjoy Y-category security cover even after his retirement.
The Chief Justice gets Z-category security cover.
