Supreme Court orders continued security to family of slain Congress leader

The bench directed that “the police shall also protect the life and properties of the petitioner and his family members, who are prosecution witnesses in the case, from the accused and their accomplices.”

It also directed the SP to assess the threat perception of other prosecution witnesses in the case till they depose in the court and provide security to them if needed.

The bench asked the trial court to dispose of the case expeditiously and said Devendra Chaurasia was murdered on March 15, 2019 due to “political rivalry”, and the apex court sought security cover for his son and his family members. Order was given, which was later withdrawn. ,

The withdrawal or reduction of the security cover provided since 2019 prompted Somesh Chaurasia to move the apex court for redressal. On January 19, the Supreme Court had rapped the state police, saying it was “playing with the lives” of prosecution witnesses, and warned the Damoh SP of contempt action if it did not restore their security. .

In his petition, Somesh Chaurasia claimed that he and his family were facing threat to life from the husband of former BSP MLA Rambai Singh, who is an accused in the case. On July 22, 2021, the SC canceled the bail granted to Rambai Singh’s husband Govind Singh and underlined that the judiciary should be kept free from political pressure.