The Punjab and Haryana High Court Thursday directed Punjab government to ensure the safety of cricketer-turned Rajya Sabha MP Harbhajan Singh and his family. The next hearing is scheduled on May 12. 

The bench of Justice Jagmohan Bansal while hearing the petition filed by Harbhajan Singh, passed the order and issued notice to Punjab government.

In his petition, Harbhajan Singh challenged an April 25 decision by the ADGP (Security) to withdraw his security cover. He argued that the decision was taken without hearing his side and without any fresh assessment of the threat perception. He also sought directions for the immediate restoration of his security.

Harbhajan Singh told the court that he was elected to the Rajya Sabha on April 10, 2022, through the Aam Aadmi Party and is living with his family in Jalandhar. He further stated that a day before his security was withdrawn, Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha had announced that he, along with Harbhajan Singh and several others, had left the party.

The petitioner alleged that his security was withdrawn without any fresh threat report and described the move as retaliatory. He also claimed that a mob later gathered outside his residence, wrote the word “traitor” on the outer walls, and attempted to break the main gate. He said he was in Mumbai on personal work at the time and learned about the incident through his brother-in-law.

Opposing the plea, Punjab Advocate General Maninderjit Singh Bedi submitted that the petitioner has been provided security by the central government and argued that he does not usually reside in Punjab.