- (1.) We have heard Sri Shashi Nandan, Senior Advocate, assisted by Sri Vishnu Gupta for the petitioner. Sri V.K. Singh, Additional Advocate General assisted by learned standing counsel appears for the State respondents.
(2.) The petitioner is aggrieved by withdrawal of 'Y' Class security cover provided to him by the State Government, while he was serving in the Government as Cabinet Minister. The security cover provided to him on 3.2.2008, has been withdrawn on 25.12.2011. He has prayed for the following relief: - "i)issue a writ, order or direction in the nature of mandamus commanding respondents to provide 'Y' class security cover to the petitioner ii)issue any other writ, order or direction to which the petitioner might be found entitle in the facts and circumstances of the case."
(3.) Sri Shashi Nandan submits that the petitioner was President of Allahabad University. He was thrice elected as Member of Legislative Assembly, in the year 1985, 1989 and 1996 from Handia constituency in District Allahabad. He has been Minister of State for Higher Education in the cabinet headed by Sri Mulayam Singh Yadav as Chief Minister in the year 1990-91. He was also State Minister for Higher Education and also the State Minister for Public Works Department during the period 1996-2002 in the then Bhartiya Janta Party Government. He was again elected as Member of Legislative Assembly in 2007 from Handia constituency of Allahabad District, and was Cabinet Minister for Higher Education in the Government formed by Bahujan Samaj Party, till 24.12.2011. He is also member of various educational, social and other organizations and as such protection to the life of the petitioner is necessary and essential for the interest of the society at large, as well as for the members of the family of the petitioner.;