The Bench led by the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court has taken suo-moto cognisance of the firing that took place in the Rohini Court premises that killed a lawyer. The bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh of Delhi High Court said that “this is a grave matter and requires immediate attention.”
The Delhi High Court bench has directed the AAP led Delhi government to provide for budgetary allowances/fund immediately for providing adequate security set-ups in Courts across Delhi at the earliest.
The Delhi Police has suggested some security measures that can be taken regarding the safety and security of the courts across Delhi.
“Entry of visitors should be restricted in general. I will say this very cautiously, security issues can get worse with overcrowding. Courts are soft targets.”
ASG Chetan Sharma.
He further added that the Delhi Police has conducted a Security audit at various courts and has taken substantive steps.
“There were certain discrepancies in ‘pre-shootout’ period. Now security forces have taken over security at all courts.”
CJ DN Patel said that the Bench has prepared a summary of directions and the directions will be passed once it’s accepted by the stakeholders and these can be amended according to the stakeholder’s suggestions.
- The directions of the Chief Justice of Delhi High Court are as follows:
- Commissioner of Police shall conduct security audits at all courts:
- He shall ensure that enough police personnel are deployed at each court.
- These personnel shall be responsible for checking/frisking.
- Separate frisking before entering courtroom.
- No baggage inside court premises without scanning.
- Round clock monitoring of court building through CCTV cameras.
- Under trial prisoners appearance may be procured through virtual mode as far as possible.
- Wherever they are required to be produced physically, proceedings may be conducted at vulnerable witness room/ inside jail.
- Installation of automated gates like metros.
- Stickers for vehicles and Digitized entry cards for Advocates.
The CJ has also directed the State Government led by AAP government for making budgetary allocation to purchase security equipment.
The matter has been adjourned to 24 November. The suggestions made by the Court will be circulated among the stakeholders.