BJP leader Subramanian Swamy moves Delhi HC over Centre's failure to provide security
New Delhi, Oct 27: Former BJP MP Subramanian Swamy approached the Delhi High Court on Thursday, stating that in spite of an earlier assurance, the Centre has not made any security arrangements at the accommodation he would be residing in after vacating the government-allotted bungalow.
Swamy, a "Z" category protectee whose term as a Rajya Sabha member ended in April, had earlier moved the court for re-allotment of the government bungalow, citing security threats to him.
On Thursday, his counsel mentioned the issue of providing adequate security at his private residence before a bench headed by Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma, which agreed to list it for hearing on October 31.
Representing Swamy, senior advocate Jayant Mehta told the court that when a single-judge bench of the court had granted six weeks' time to the former MP to vacate the bungalow, the Centre had given an assurance that adequate security arrangements would be made at his place of stay.
"None (security arrangements) have been done till date. October 26 was the last date when he had to move out. He is at a life risk. He has moved an application today for a direction in terms of their undertaking," Mehta said.
"Monday," said the bench, also comprising Justice Subramonium Prasad.
On September 14, Justice Yashwant Varma had directed Swamy to hand over the possession of his government bungalow to the estate officer within six weeks, noting that the allotment was made for a period of five years, which had come to an end.
Swamy's term as a member of the Upper House of Parliament came to an end on April 24.
The single judge, while disposing of Swamy's petition seeking re-allotment, also recorded that there was no material shown that mandated and required the allotment of government accommodation to a "Z" category protectee.
Representing the government, Additional Solicitor General Sanjay Jain had submitted that while Swamy continues to remain a "Z" category protectee, the policies and guidelines that govern such protectees do not obligate the Centre to also provide residential accommodation from the general pool.
He had said while the government shall continue to extend the Z-category protection to Swamy subject to due periodical review, it would not be possible for the bungalow in question to be re-alloted to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader.
Jain had said in any case, the petitioner has his own residential premises where he can possibly shift and the protecting agencies shall take all further steps in that premises, as may be warranted, to ensure his safety and security.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
