Mahant Raman Kanta And Others v. State Of Punjab And Others

In The High Court for the States of Punjab and Haryana At Chandigarh Date of Decision:- 29.08.2024 Mahant Raman Kanta and others .... Petitioners

Versus

State of Punjab and others ... Respondents

CORAM:

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE GURVINDER SINGH GILL Present:- Mr. Manish Verma, Advocate with Mr. Suresh Kumar, Advocate, for the petitioners. Mr. Inderjeet Singh Ladher, DAG, Punjab.

Mr. L.S. Sekhon, Advocate, for respondents No.7 to 11. ***** GURVINDER SINGH GILL , J . (Oral) 1.

The petitioners approached this Court in the year 2022 by way of filing the instant petition seeking issuance of directions to the official respondents to provide adequate security and protection to petitioner No.1 and her daughters i.e. petitioners No.2 and 3, as the petitioners who are all ladies were having civil litigation with respondents No.7 to 11 and had been raising voice against the said respondents. 2.

The State filed its reply dated 21.12.2022 by way affidavit of Mr. Mukhwinder Singh Chinna, IPS, Inspector General of Police, Patiala Range, Patiala. Para Nos. 4(vi) and 5 of the said reply are reproduced herein under:-

- 2 - "4(vi) That the enquiry officer also recommended that opposite party never attacked Mahant Raman Kanta and her daughters Poonam or Harman Swami nor gave any beatings to them. Even then, regarding threat perception of petitioners about their life and liberty it will be necessary to instruct the Station House Officer, Police Station, Kotwali Patiala and In-charge PCR Patiala to give police helpline numbers to the petitioners and apprised them that whenever they feel any danger to their lives and liberty, they can immediately contact on SO these numbers that necessary prompt police protection be provided and incharge PCR, should also be instructed to place keep such a point near their Dera/residence of the petitioners, so that prompt security can be provided to the petitioners immediately if necessary and recommended consigning the application to record room. True translated copy of report is annxed herewith as Annexure R-1/T for kind perusal of this Hon'ble court.

5.

That on receipt of report submitted by Deputy Superintendent of Police, Rural Patiala, the Senior Superintendent of Police, Patiala examined the matter minutely and agreed with the same and also vide letter No.4718-19/PC dated 17.12.2022 directed Station House Officer, Police Station Kotwali, Patiala as well as Incharge P.C.R. Patiala to notify the patrolling parties of the police station operating near the house of the petitioners that the Patrolling Incharge should pay special attention to that area and phone numbers of Police Control Room Patiala and Police Help Line Number should be conveyed to the petitioners, so that they can get police help by contacting the said numbers if necessary. The Senior Superintendent of Police, Patiala also directed Incharge PCR, Patiala to set up a halting point in front of the house of the petitioners to ensure their safety. True translated copy of letter is

- 3 - annexed herewith as Annexure R-2/T for kind perusal of this Hon'ble Court."

3.

Mr. L.S.Sekhon, Advocate, appearing on behalf of respondents No.7 to 11 has assured this Court that the private respondents shall not take law into their hands.

4.

In view of the aforestated position, this Court finds that the matter has been examined by the police and some steps in this regard has been taken. The petition, as such, is disposed of as having been rendered infructuous. However, the official respondents are directed to ensure that there is no laxity in the arrangements, as have already been made and to keep on evaluating the same periodically, as all the petitioners are ladies and apparently there is some dispute regarding control over 'dera'.

5.

Needless to mention, in case there is any fresh threat to the petitioners at any stage, it shall be open to them to approach this Court again. 29.08.2024 (GURVINDER SINGH GILL) Mohan JUDGE Whether speaking /reasoned Yes / No Whether Reportable Yes / No