New Delhi, 11 August (H.S.):

The Delhi High Court has directed the Central government to enhance the security cover of Bihar independent MP Pappu Yadav amid his allegations of receiving death threats. Justice Manoj Jain made the observation while hearing Yadav’s petition. The matter is scheduled to be heard again later on Tuesday afternoon.

During the hearing, Yadav’s counsel, Shadan Farasat, submitted that his client had been receiving death threats since he staged a protest outside Parliament over the alleged theft of offerings from the Ram Temple. He said a representation seeking enhanced security had also been submitted to the Centre.

Appearing for the Central government, advocate Ashish Dixit said the government was examining Yadav’s request for enhanced security and that interim measures were being taken in the meantime.

The court observed that the matter was important, noting that Yadav was a sitting Member of Parliament and that the Centre should take steps to strengthen his security. The court also indicated that the government could not simply dismiss the alleged threat as fabricated.

Yadav has alleged that the threats began after he staged a protest outside Parliament concerning the alleged theft of offerings from the Ram Temple. He further claimed that an attack was carried out at his residence on August 2, when a person allegedly threw a slipper at him during a press conference. A knife was also reportedly recovered from the alleged attacker.

According to Yadav, he received a threat on August 1, followed by a publicly announced bounty of Rs 51 lakh for his beheading. He also alleged that a crowd subsequently gathered outside the residence of his wife, who is also a Member of Parliament, and issued threats against him while he was present there.

Yadav said he reported the matter to the police on August 2 and submitted electronic evidence in support of his allegations. He later claimed that while he was addressing a press conference at his residence, a person threw a slipper at him and allegedly attempted to attack him with a knife.

In his petition, Yadav has sought a fresh assessment of his security threat and directions for enhanced protection for him across the country. He currently has Y-plus security cover in Bihar.

Yadav has further stated that following the alleged threats, he submitted a written representation seeking enhanced security across India, but the Ministry of Home Affairs had not taken a decision on the matter. He has argued that failure to provide adequate protection despite the alleged threats amounts to a violation of his fundamental right to life and personal liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar