CHANDIGARH – In a significant legal blow to the Punjab administration, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued a stern warning regarding the security of industrialist and Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament, Rajinder Gupta. A bench headed by the Chief Justice has ordered the state government to ensure the absolute safety of the petitioner and his family, emphasizing that no loss of life or property will be tolerated.
The case has ignited a fierce debate over the use of state machinery for “political vendetta” following Gupta’s recent high-profile shift from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
A Clash of Jurisdictions: State vs. Centre
During the proceedings, Additional Solicitor General Satpal Jain, representing the Union Government, confirmed that the Centre has already deployed CRPF and CAPF personnel to protect Gupta based on a high-level threat assessment.
However, the courtroom became a stage for a jurisdictional tug-of-war:
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The State’s Argument: Counsel for the Punjab Government argued that state police protection is redundant now that elite Central forces are on the ground.
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The Petitioner’s Rebuttal: Gupta’s legal team countered that Central security is often a temporary measure and that the primary, constitutional duty to maintain law and order and protect residents lies squarely with the State Government.
The High Court sided with the latter, reminding the state that they cannot “shirk their responsibility” simply because federal forces have stepped in.
Allegations of Political Retaliation
The petition paints a picture of swift administrative retaliation. Gupta, the founder of the multi-billion dollar Trident Group, was elected to the Rajya Sabha via AAP in October 2025. Following his move to the BJP in April 2026, he alleges his security—which had been in place for 20 years—was stripped away without a formal review.
“The withdrawal of security immediately after an ideological shift, coupled with the lack of a fresh threat assessment, suggests a clear case of political vendetta,” the petition stated.
To support these claims, the defence highlighted a violent incident on April 26, 2026, where Gupta’s Chandigarh residence was vandalized. Attackers reportedly branded him a “traitor” on the property walls, leading to the registration of FIR No. 33 at the North Police Station.
Business Under Fire
The security row is not the only legal battle Gupta is fighting. Simultaneously, the High Court provided interim relief to the Trident Group, restraining the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) from taking coercive action against his industrial units. The court noted that the timing of recent environmental raids—occurring just days after Gupta’s political defection—made the allegations of government bias appear “reasonably palpable.”
What’s Next?
The High Court has directed the Punjab Government to maintain the status quo and ensure the petitioner’s safety until the next hearing.
Key Date: The matter is scheduled for further hearing on May 15, 2026, where the state is expected to justify the sudden withdrawal of security in the face of documented threats.
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