September 19,2017:

Bench said that Protection must be given in rarest of rare cases.

Bombay HC expounded that,”Maharashtra Police cannot become the private guards”. While directing State Government to review each and every case in which the Police protection has been given.

High Court’s Division Bench of Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice N M Jamdar further enunciated that Department concerned should revisit each and every case and see if the protection was still required.

Bombay HC stated that,“The protection which was given about 10 to 15 years ago when there must have been a threat, should be reviewed. Is security required? After so many years, the circumstances would have changed”.

Chief Justice expounded that,“Why should Public Exchequer’s money be wasted on the people who do not deserve the protection? And the people who can afford must pay”.

Court further added that in many of the cases the protection was given without proper application of the mind.

The Bombay High Court Bench was hearing the PIL which was filed by city resident Sunny Punamiya seeking the direction to State Police to recover dues from VIPs, including the politicians, who have been provided the security cover, butstill have not paid till date.