[Security in Delhi courts] Guidelines to be in force till April 2022: Delhi High Court

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday said that its earlier suggestions for increasing security in courts functioning in the national capital will be issued as a directions in a judicial order (Court On Its Own Motion v. Commissioner of Police and Ors)..A Bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh was hearing a suo motu petition initiated after the September 24 firing at Delhi’s Rohini Court Complex, where three people were killed..The Bench said that these guidelines will stay in force till mid-April next year, after which it will hear the case again and take stock of the situation..The Court had, in its last hearing, suggested nearly a dozen measures to increase security in Delhi's courts. These included a security audit by the Delhi Police, installation of CCTV cameras and metal detectors, as well as entry passes for advocates.It had suggested that undertrials should appear virtually as far as possible, there should be frisking of people seeking entry into the court premises, and no entry of baggage without scanning, as well as installation of gates like the ones at metro stations, and stickers for vehicles.The Court had added that while the Delhi Police will be responsible for security, the budgetary allocation for the purchase of the security apparatus for the city's courts will be the task of the Delhi government.Though it had asked for additional suggestions and feedback on these measures from various Bar Associations, the counsel representing them said that they nothing to add. These measures will now be implemented as guidelines to be followed till April 22..The Bench said that as far as the Delhi High Court is concerned, any distribution of passes will be the task of the Delhi High Court Bar Association, which will issue passes to its member advocates without any interference from the Court.Chief Justice Patel added that these directions can be amended if the lawyers face any difficulty in execution, but the same will remain in force for two to three months. “I am adjourning this matter. Changes can’t be made every 15 days,” he said.The Court has listed the case for further hearing on April 18, till which time these directions will remain in force..CCTVs, metal detectors, ID cards for lawyers: Delhi High Court suggests steps to increase security in courts