Chandigarh, May 8 (IANS) The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Friday sought the Punjab government’s stand on the withdrawal of security cover provided to Rajya Sabha MP and industrialist Rajinder Gupta, while also directing that no harm should come to his family within the state in view of recent incidents.

Advocate Chetan Mittal, appearing for Gupta, told court that the Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab and Chairman Emeritus of the Trident Group had approached the High Court challenging the withdrawal of his security cover by the Punjab government.

“He had approached the High Court stating that for the past two decades, he was provided security cover of six Punjab Police personnel,” Mittal told reporters outside the court.

He also said that Gupta’s threat perception was reviewed in September-October 2025, following which his security cover was enhanced to nine personnel.

Of these, Gupta himself was paying for four security personnel, he added.

Mittal alleged that immediately after Gupta resigned from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and joined the BJP in April this year, all nine security personnel were withdrawn.

“However, the day after he resigned from AAP and joined BJP in April, all nine security personnel were withdrawn. There were incidents at his residences, and an FIR was also registered in Chandigarh regarding the same,” he said.

The advocate termed the withdrawal of security “illegal, arbitrary, and with malafide intent”.

According to Mittal, the Punjab government’s counsel told the High Court that a report regarding the matter had been submitted in a sealed cover and that the Central government had provided security cover to Gupta.

“The court has taken note of this matter and asked what the Punjab government’s stand is on it — whether the Punjab government considers it its duty or not,” Mittal said.

He also added that the High Court also sought clarification on whether the security provided by the Central government was permanent or temporary in nature.

“Along with this, directions have been issued that in view of the kind of incidents taking place, no harm should come to the petitioner or his family within the state of Punjab,” Mittal said.

–IANS

sn/khz