Govt counts pennies, shoots down Z security of TADA judge

Govt counts pennies, shoots down Z security of TADA judge
ENS & PTI

MUMBAI, MARCH 11: The Democratic Front Government has swung its security axe from the State's political orbit to the judiciary.

After Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray and his son and nephew Uddhav and Raj, designated Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Judge Pramod Kode, who is presiding over the serial blasts trial, has been brought under the Government's drive to economise on security expenses.

Judge Kode's security has been scaled down from the `Z' to the `Y' category since March 6, official sources said here.

The move has taken legal circles by surprise, for two reasons. For starters, the earlier Judge J N Patel was provided with `Z plus' security, considering the sensitive nature of the trial.

Furthermore, Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal had only recently admitted in a section of the press that Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence activities were at their peak in the country. The Central Bureau of Investigation had alleged that the blasts were masterminded in 1993 by Karachi-based Dawood Ibrahim at the behest of the intelligence agency.

The Z category security cover includes two escort vehicles with armed personnel. Each escort comprises a police officer and four stengun-equipped policemen in addition to police guards posted at the residence of the person given protection.

The Y security cover, however, provides for just two police officers with service revolvers. Escort vehicles with stengun-wielding policemen and guards at the residence of the beneficiary are not included here.

Z security was first given to a TADA judge when Judge J N Patel, who was hearing the case for a year since 1995, was threatened over the telephone and through letters. He was given a bullet-proof car and guards.

However, Judge Patel's request, through the Bombay High Court, to insure him and his family for Rs 60 lakh with a life insurance policy was not conceded by the Union Government.

The threats continued even after Judge Kode took over from Judge Patel in August 1996. Judge Patel, who was elevated to the Bombay High Court in May 1996, has since been transferred to the Nagpur bench.

Bhujbal had recently met Union Home Minister L K Advani in New Delhi where he justified the security cover provided by his Government to various persons in the wake of ISI activities rising in the state.

Bhujbal had reportedly urged the Centre to share at least 50 per cent of the expenses incurred by the State on security measures. He said the State Government had drawn up a five-year plan to beef up security and modernise the police force, which worked out to a little over Rs 350 crore per annum.

Vasant Kamble, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Protection, refused to say much on the scaling down of Judge Kode's security. ``These are the State Government's decisions and we only execute them. I will not say any more,'' Kamble told The Indian Express.