Centre okays security plan for Golden Quadrilateral Project

The Patna high court on Wednesday closed the case relating to the security for Golden Quadrilateral Road Project after the Union government expressed satisfaction over the 'dedicated security plan' submitted by the Bihar government.

The court was hearing a PIL filed by advocate M P Gupta alleging that the murder of National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) project manager Satyendra Dubey, who had blown the whistle on corruption in the project, and constant threat of extortion from criminal gangs had jeopardised the project. He prayed for adequate security from the state government.

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A division bench comprising Chief Justice Ravi S Dhavan and Justice Shashank Kumar Singh observed that since the Centre was satisfied with the security arrangements for smooth completion of the road project there was no need for the court to monitor it and consigned the case.

Union government counsel Ajay Tripathi filed two affidavits on behalf of the Union Home Secretary and Secretary, Union Surface Transport Ministry saying a team of experts had 'tested Bihar government's dedicated security plan on the ground' and endorsed it with a few suggestions. He, however, did not divulge what those suggestions were.

The judges instructed the state government to act on the suggestions and closed the matter. State Home Commissioner B K Haldar and Inspector General of Police (Patna) A C Verma were present in the court.

Earlier on February 19, Additional Solicitor General Nageshwar Rao had personally appeared in the court to file affidavits on behalf of the Centre but the court had adjourned the matter till March 3, as Justice Singh was absent on that day.

Satyendra Dubey Murder Case