The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed a petition filed by former YSR Congress Party MLA Katasani Rambhupal Reddy, seeking the restoration of his security cover, and said he could arrange private security if he faced threats.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi heard the plea challenging the state government’s decision to withdraw his 2+2 security cover.
The court observed that law enforcement agencies follow established protocols while providing security based on threat perception, and that such matters cannot be treated as policy issues.
During the hearing, Rambhupal Reddy’s counsel argued that six members of his family had been murdered in the past and that the government had withdrawn his security despite serious threats to his life.
The lawyer also contended that the petitioner’s political rivals continued to enjoy police protection and claimed that Rambhupal Reddy had earlier been placed under house arrest by the police citing security concerns.
The petitioner offered to bear the expenses if government security was restored. However, the bench suggested that he could instead engage private security agencies, noting that several such agencies provide effective protection.
The court remarked that government security involves public expenditure and questioned why private arrangements could not be made if the petitioner was financially capable.
The bench further observed that threat perception must be assessed objectively by state intelligence and police agencies, which are empowered to take decisions on security arrangements.
Referring to Rambhupal Reddy’s recent house arrest, the court noted that the police had acted to prevent possible law-and-order issues during a programme he intended to attend.
Finding no valid grounds to intervene, the Supreme Court dismissed the petition and closed the proceedings.
