CWP No. 9366 of 2008 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CWP No. 9366 of 2008 Date of decision: August 12, 2008 Parminder Singh --- Petitioner Versus State of Punjab and others ---- Respondents CORAM: Hon'ble Mr. Justice Ashutosh Mohunta Hon'ble Mr. Justice Rajan Gupta Present: Mr. Ritesh Pandey, Advocate, for the petitioner. Mr. Palwinder Singh, AAG, Punjab. Ashutosh Mohunta, J. Petitioner prays that directions be issued to the respondents to ensure life and liberty of the petitioner. It is contended that respondent No.3/SHO, police station Surat Malli, Police District Batala be directed to provide adequate security to the petitioner as there is a serious threat to his life from the hands of local MLA, who belongs to the ruling party. Counsel states that the petitioner is an active supporter of the Congress party and had supported the Congress candidate during the general elections, as a result of which the local MLA of the ruling party got annoyed and has threatened the petitioner with dire consequences. Reply has been filed on behalf of the respondents, CWP No. 9366 of 2008 2 wherein it has been averred that the cost of providing security through police would be Rs.4,76,402/- per annum for two constables and that the petitioner should be directed to deposit the said amount first and only thereafter the security of two policemen could be provided to him. Counsel for the petitioner states that the amount as depicted in annexure R1 is highly exorbitant, which the petitioner is not in a position to pay and it is the duty of the respondents to provide security to the life and liberty of every one. In the peculiar facts and circumstances of the present petition, in our considered opinion, in case the petitioner deposits Rs. one lac, then one security personnel be provided by respondent No.3. The abovementioned arrangement shall continue only for a period of six months. Thereafter the threat perception to the petitioner shall be reviewed by the respondents. Petition stands disposed of accordingly. [Ashutosh Mohunta] Judge [Rajan Gupta] Judge August 12, 2008 `ask'