Kolkata, Oct. 14 -- Trinamool MP Mahua Moitra on Wednesday reportedly disputed the West Bengal government's claim before the Calcutta High Court that she had been provided with an armed personal security officer (PSO) under the X-category security cover, and sought time to place her objections on record.
Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya allowed Moitra to file a supplementary affidavit challenging the state's submission. The matter will be heard next on December 2.
The dispute arose during the hearing of Moitra's plea seeking enhanced security following an egg-pelting incident in Nadia's Tehatta. The state told the court that, under the Union home ministry's Yellow Book guidelines, an MP was entitled to X-category protection, including a round-the-clock armed PSO, and that one had already been allotted to her.
Moitra's counsel disputed the claim, maintaining that the officer was neither accompanying her nor providing the protection asserted by the government.
The court observed that if a PSO had been assigned but was not performing the required duties, the petitioner could seek appropriate directions, including a change of officer.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.