AHMEDABAD(India), Jan22, 2012: Narendra Modi’s Z-plus security is the subject of a public interest litigation (PIL) filed in the Gujarat High Court here.Jigensh Goswami, a 35-year-old executive of a private firm has through his PIL sought details of the security provided to the Gujarat Chief Minister and asked if the expenses incurred on it are audited. The court has admitted the PIL aimed at easing the problems faced by the common man, and fixed the next hearing for February 2 after asking the petitioner to submit the details of the two patients (mentioned in the PIL) who died due to blocking of the traffic to ensure smooth passage to Modi’s convoy some time ago. According to the PIL, Modi moves around with 32 black commandos in a convoy that has at least nine high-end four-wheelers, a medical van, a well-equipped fire-fighter, besides other car-borne officials. The roads on the CM’s route are off-bound for traffic for up to an hour, putting the common man to extreme hardship,
it said. “People many times get late for office, urgent meetings and home,” Goswami told journalists, adding that even 108 emergency ambulance vehicles with two critically ill patients were not allowed to move as the CM’s convoy was to pass that way. The patients died as a result, he alleged. Goswami told Khaleej Times that about Rs700,000 was spent every month on the CM’s security. This, he said, was the tax payers’ money. “We want to know if there is a government resolution or a norm prescribed for providing security to the CM and are the expenses audited. We have prayed that the status report be presented in court,” said Goswami who has made the chief secretary, the finance department secretary and Modi respondents. to the PIL.
