Supreme Court of India allowed Rajesh Ranjan to approach Patna High Court for early hearing on plea seeking upgraded security citing threats linked to Lawrence Bishnoi.
The Supreme Court of India allowed Lok Sabha MP Rajesh Ranjan, popularly known as Pappu Yadav, to approach the Patna High Court seeking an expedited hearing of his pending application. In particular, his plea concerns enhancement of his security cover from the ‘Y’ category to the ‘Z’ category. The Court granted this limited relief after noting Yadav’s apprehensions that he faces threats reportedly made by associates of imprisoned gangster Lawrence Bishnoi.
Yadav, who represents the Purnia constituency in Bihar and has an extensive political record, argued that he is under serious threat and that the security presently provided to him is inadequate. His lawyer told the Bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi that while the High Court had issued notice on November 19, 2024, the order was not uploaded and the matter had not been listed for hearing thereafter.
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During the short hearing, the Bench questioned the need for the requested escalation, asking, “Do you need ‘Z’ category security?” Responding, counsel submitted that the MP had been receiving grave threats connected to the Bishnoi gang, and that repeated efforts to get the matter listed before the High Court had not succeeded.
The submission further stated that although Yadav had previously been sanctioned ‘Y plus’ security , the arrangement existed only “only on paper” and was not actually implemented on the ground. When the Bench asked whether the MP had hired private security personnel, counsel clarified that he did not have any private security.
Counsel clarified that the immediate relief sought from the Supreme Court was only for directions to ensure listing of the pending petition before the High Court. The Bench, however, declined to issue such a direction and instead permitted Yadav to file a formal application before the Patna High Court for early listing of his plea.
Senior Advocate Shadan Farasat, appearing for Yadav, submitted that despite repeated oral submissions, the matter had not been taken up. He also pointed out that Yadav currently has only “Y category” security, comprising two personnel. To demonstrate the seriousness of the threat perception, he referred to an alleged attempt on the life of the petitioner’s brother. He further noted that the High Court’s notice order had not been uploaded, which prevented the filing of a Special Leave Petition before the Supreme Court.
Addressing the broader concern, the Chief Justice observed that High Courts face heavy case pendency and indicated that the Supreme Court is generally hesitant to interfere in procedural matters. Still, since the petitioner’s complaint was that his case had remained unlisted for several months, the Court granted limited relief.
It observed:
“Though this Court ordinarily does not entertain such petitions, however, in light of petitioner’s claim that his petition has not been listed since 19.11.2024, we grant him liberty to move a formal application before the High Court along with a copy of this order, with a prayer to list his petition,”
The Supreme Court also clarified that it had not made any comment on the merits of the case. It further expressed the expectation that the High Court would consider the request and pass appropriate orders strictly in accordance with law.
Case Title: Rajesh Ranjan @ Pappu Yadav vs Union of India, W.P. (Crl.) No. 164/2026
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