CCTVs, metal detectors, ID cards for lawyers: Delhi High Court suggests steps to increase security in courts

The Delhi High Court on Monday urged the Commissioner of Delhi Police to conduct regular audits of court premises in the national capital (Court On Its Own Motion V Commissioner of Police and Ors) .

. While discussing measures to increase security in Delhi courts, the Bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh further suggested that lawyers should be issued ID cards.

The Court, however, made it clear that these were only suggestions and not directions, which are subject to approval of various stakeholders including bar associations and the Bar Council of India.

“There is always scope of amendment. Categorically, I am saying these are not directions by the Court. I have made only a summary subject to other views,” CJ Patel remarked during the hearing.

. The suggestions came during the hearing of the suo motu petition initiated after the shooting that took place at the Rohini court complex in September this year.

. Chief Justice Patel read out the summary of suggestions that he had prepared to the counsel present and said that if they wanted to add anything, they could do so. Such measures should continue for three to four months, after which the Court will yet again take stock of the situation, he added.

The other suggestions from the Court included appearance of under-trials through virtual mode as far as possible, frisking of people seeking entry into court premises, no entry of baggage without scanning, installation of gates like metro stations and stickers for vehicles.

The Court also suggested that there should be monitoring of the court premises through CCTVs and metal detectors should also be installed. Further, while the Delhi Police will be tasked with the audit of security, budgetary allocation for purchase of the security apparatus shall be the task of Delhi government.

. Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma informed the Court that some lawyers were refusing to cooperate with police personnel and that such an incident had occurred in the Rohini court during Diwali.

Responding to this, the Chief Justice urged Advocate Manjit Mathur, who appeared for the Rohini Court Bar Association, to pass a resolution to address the issue.

. The Court has now listed the case for further hearing on November 24. In the meantime, it said that it will distribute its suggestions with the counsel appearing for various respondents.

. During a previous hearing, the Court had granted one last opportunity to all the stakeholders concerned to submit their suggestions for enhancing security at various court complexes in Delhi. Several stakeholders including the Delhi Police, the Delhi High Court Bar Association and the Bar Council of Delhi have already filed their suggestions before the Court.

The steps by the Delhi Police include the installation of 85 metal detectors, 2,300 CCTVs, 125 hand-held detectors and physical checking points. Sharma added that tenders for x-ray machines have also been issued while the existing equipment are being repaired.

.[Court security] Delhi High Court gives final chance to give suggestions; order likely on November 8

CCTVs, metal detectors, ID cards for lawyers: Delhi High Court suggests steps to increase security in courts

Prashant Jha

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