HC asks Centre, police to reassess threat to Hindu body chief

The Delhi High Court today directed the Centre and the Delhi Police to re-evaluate the threat perception to Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha chief Swami Chakrapani, who was in news for burning a car that purportedly belonged to underworld don Dawood Ibrahim.
Chakrapani has approached the high court seeking a direction to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and the police to restore the 'Z' category security cover provided to him last year after four person were arrested for planning an attack on him, but was withdrawn on June 28.
Taking note of the circumstances, Justice Vibhu Bakhru said, "The government and the police are directed to re- evaluate the threat perception and provide security cover as they consider necessary."

Regarding Chakrapani's allegation that the decision to withdraw his security was malafide and politically motivated, the court said it was not examining this issue and it expected that the police go into it independently.
The court said that the police shall share with Chakrapani its decision and the extent of security to be provided to him, so that if he was dissatisfied with it, he would be at liberty to arrange private security cover.
Advocate Rajesh Raina, appearing for Chakrapani, argued that the decision to withdraw the security cover was illegal and without any justification or any intimation to him.

He said it was withdrawn in an arbitrary manner without any reason and alleged that it was done due to some political vendetta against the Hindu mahasabha chief as he has been vocal against the government on various issues.

He sought a direction to the authorities to restore the 'Z' level security and provide better security in the light of the "lingering threats to the life of petitioner from global terrorist Dawood Ibrahim and Chhota Shakeel as well as his henchmen thereby protecting the life, limb and property of the petitioner".
The counsel claimed that Chakrapani was receiving threats from gangsters Chhota Shakeel, members of Dawood Ibrahim's gang and that he was not able to move freely without security cover as he has become vulnerable to attacks.

It was alleged in the plea that the police apprehended certain persons were engaged to assassinate him and it warned him to be alert.
Chakrapani, who won the car at an open auction in Mumbai on December 9, 2015, had publicly burnt the vehicle purportedly belonging to Dawood Ibrahim in Ghaziabad.
He was provided 'Z-category' security, consisting of round-the-clock cover by commandoes and pilot and escort vehicles during travel, in June last year after four persons were arrested for planning an attack on him.