New Delhi: Former Union minister and Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy, who is a visiting professor in many universities abroad, has shown himself as a “clerk” of his wife Roxna Swamy, who is a member of the Supreme Court Bar Association, to enable him to get a photo-proximity card for easy and hassle-free entry to the court. He made an application last week to the security committee of the Supreme Court under Roxna’s endorsement, according to sources.
Speaking to The Indian Express from the US, Swamy confirmed it. "My wife is an advocate and since she and I work as a team in court cases, I applied for a pass. I have a Parliament pass but since SC does not recognise it, I thought I should get a proximity card made in my name." On being asked why he has shown himself as a "clerk" of his wife in the application, the former MP said, "Yes I am her clerk. Why not? Every husband should accept this."As per the procedure in place since last year, advocates registered with SCBA and state bar associations are entitled to get photo-proximity cards issued to their clerks besides themselves. Even retired judges of SC and HCs, advocate generals of various states and journalists too have to get a photo-proximity card issued in their names for getting entry to the apex court premises.
"All the formalities have been completed and necessary approvals are in place. The Registry hasn't raised any objection and the card would now be issued any day, after it is received from the Bharat Electronics Limited (which has a contract with SC for issuing such photo cards)," the sources said.
Considering Swamy's regular visits to the SC, owing to cases he has filed as a petitioner he would not have to get a daily visitors' pass made as ordinary litigants have to do, once the card is issued in his name.
The revamped security measures were put in place following the Mumbai terror strikes in 2008. The then Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan put in place stringent measures in the apex court besides marking it a "high security zone".
Under measures introduced, the court complex has been put under 24-hour surveillance through CCTVs in the backdrop of reports of possible terror attack. Advocates and clerks are allowed entry only by swiping their photo-proximity cards. The litigants are issued entry passes after they fill up a form with endorsement by a lawyer besides identity and residential proofs.
