HC seeks Punjab govt's stand on Rajinder Gupta security withdrawal
Synopsis
Rajya Sabha MP and Trident Group Chairman Emeritus Rajinder Gupta had his nine-member Punjab Police security detail withdrawn the day after he quit AAP and joined BJP. The Punjab and Haryana High Court has now stepped in, seeking the state government's justification and directing that no harm come to Gupta or his family — a case that puts the spotlight on whether political loyalty can determine personal safety.
Key Takeaways
Punjab and Haryana High Court on 8 May 2025 sought the Punjab government's stand on the withdrawal of security cover for Rajya Sabha MP Rajinder Gupta .
Gupta had been provided security by Punjab Police for nearly two decades , enhanced to nine personnel after a threat review in September–October 2025 .
All nine security personnel were allegedly withdrawn the day after Gupta resigned from AAP and joined BJP in April 2025 .
Incidents at his residences and an FIR in Chandigarh were registered following the withdrawal.
The court directed that no harm should come to Gupta or his family within Punjab and sought clarity on whether Central government security is permanent or temporary.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Friday, 8 May sought the Punjab government's position on the withdrawal of security cover provided to Rajya Sabha MP and industrialist Rajinder Gupta, while directing that no harm should come to him or his family within the state in view of recent incidents. The court's intervention follows Gupta's petition challenging what his counsel described as an arbitrary removal of police protection shortly after he switched political parties.
Background: Two Decades of Security, Then Sudden Withdrawal
According to advocate Chetan Mittal, who appeared for Gupta, the Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab and Chairman Emeritus of the Trident Group had been provided security cover of six Punjab Police personnel for nearly two decades. Following a threat perception review conducted in September–October 2025, his cover was enhanced to nine personnel, of whom Gupta himself was reportedly paying for four.
Mittal alleged that the very day after Gupta resigned from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in April 2025, all nine security personnel were withdrawn without notice.
Point of View
And it is difficult to dismiss as coincidence. State-controlled security apparatus has historically been a pressure point in Indian politics, and Punjab is no stranger to its use as leverage. If the High Court finds that the withdrawal was politically motivated, it would set a significant precedent on the limits of executive discretion over personal security. The sealed-cover report submitted by the Punjab government suggests the state is not eager to defend its decision in open court — itself a telling detail.
NationPress
11 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Punjab and Haryana High Court intervene in Rajinder Gupta's security case?
The High Court intervened after Rajya Sabha MP Rajinder Gupta filed a petition challenging the withdrawal of his Punjab Police security cover. The court sought the Punjab government's formal stand and directed that no harm should come to Gupta or his family within the state.
When was Rajinder Gupta's security cover withdrawn?
According to his counsel, all nine security personnel were withdrawn the day after Gupta resigned from AAP and joined BJP in April 2025, despite a threat review as recently as September–October 2025 having enhanced his cover.
What incidents occurred after the security withdrawal?
Advocate Chetan Mittal stated that there were incidents at Gupta's residences following the removal of his security detail, and an FIR was registered in Chandigarh in connection with those incidents.
What is the Punjab government's position on the matter?
The Punjab government's counsel informed the High Court that a report on the matter had been submitted in a sealed cover and that the Central government had since provided security cover to Gupta. The court has asked whether this Central cover is permanent or temporary.
Who is Rajinder Gupta?
Rajinder Gupta is a Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab and the Chairman Emeritus of the Trident Group, a major Indian textile conglomerate. He recently switched from AAP to BJP in April 2025.
