Supreme Court Denies Punjab’s Request for Witness Statements in PM Modi Security Lapse Case

The Supreme Court of India on November 22, 2024, refused to grant the Punjab Government’s request for the statements of witnesses recorded in the confidential report of the Justice Indu Malhotra Committee, which investigated the security lapse involving Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s convoy in January 2022. The Punjab Government sought these statements to take action against the “delinquent” officials involved. However, the Bench, led by Justice Surya Kant, noted that the state could still proceed with its inquiry against the officials without the statements.

The Justice Malhotra Committee had previously blamed the Ferozepur SSP for failing to maintain law and order, despite being informed well in advance about the Prime Minister’s route. The incident, which led to the Prime Minister’s convoy being blocked by protestors, prevented him from attending several planned events. The committee was tasked with investigating the causes of the security breach, identifying those responsible, and recommending measures to prevent such incidents in the future.