NEW DELHI (TIP): Questioning the need for providing police protection to all and sundry and allowing red beacon lights on their vehicles, the Supreme Court on January 17 directed all the states to furnish details about the total number of persons enjoying such facilities and the expenditure being incurred by the government for the purpose. A Bench comprising Justices GS Singhvi and HL Gokhale made it clear that only those holding important constitutional posts or were facing threat to their lives should be given such privileges. In Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan, even sarpanches were getting security and had tinted glasses in their vehicles and the police could not dare to remove the black films, the Bench noted. In several states, even MPs, MLAs and municipal commissioners were being allowed to use beacon lights in their vehicles, while this facility should be restricted to ambulances and the vehicles of the police and some defence personnel.