New Delhi, May 3
The Supreme Court intervened on Friday, halting the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s directive to reopen the road in front of the Punjab Chief Minister’s residence in Chandigarh to the public starting May 1. Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta stayed the order and issued a notice on the Punjab Government’s plea, scheduling further deliberation for September.
The High Court, represented by Acting Chief Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia and Justice Lapita Banerji, had previously ruled to reopen the road for 12 hours daily on working days from 7 am, citing a need to alleviate traffic congestion. However, the Supreme Court’s intervention came after the Punjab Advocate General, Gurminder Singh, argued that the road’s reopening could jeopardize security, particularly in light of recent terrorist activities in the region.
Singh highlighted the resurgence of terrorism in the state, referencing incidents such as grenade attacks on intelligence buildings and the killing of singer Sidhu Moosewala shortly after the withdrawal of his security detail. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Union Territory of Chandigarh, echoed these concerns and urged the Supreme Court to uphold the stay order, emphasizing the paramount importance of security.
The Bench initially expressed concerns about inconveniencing the public but ultimately acceded to the arguments regarding security risks. Despite acknowledging the need to balance public convenience with security imperatives, the Court concurred with the Punjab Government and Solicitor General Mehta’s stance, opting to suspend the High Court’s decision temporarily.
The matter is now slated for further consideration in September, underscoring the complexities involved in reconciling public access with security concerns, particularly in regions grappling with a history of terrorism.
About The Author
