Signboard warnings like ‘dekhte hi goli maar di jayegi’ outside military stations not proper: Allahabad High Court

The Allahabad High Court recently observed that messages like ‘dekhte hi goli maar di jayegi’ and ‘trespassers will be shot’ on signboards outside military installations were not appropriate and that “light words” should be used by the armed forces instead to convey such warnings [Etvir Limbu vs State of UP]..Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav opined that words like 'dekhte hi goli maar di jayegi' have a bad impact on passers-by, particularly children. Such messages can instead be written in other ways like ‘strict action would be taken’, the judge suggested. “It is true that trespassers are not allowed to enter into premises of armed forces for the purpose of security, but the language mentioned as 'dekhte hi goli maar di jayegi', in my opinion, is not proper, particularly, where the installation of armed forces situated in public place where general public, specially, children keeps coming and going. These type of words have a bad impact on the children so the Central Government may take caution in writing theses types of words. There should be light words used in place of 'Trespassers will be shot' and 'dekhte hi goli maar di jayegi,'” the Court's May 31 order stated. .The Court made the observation while granting bail to a Nepali citizen who had illegally entered an Air Force station in an intoxicated state in February this year. He was booked under provisions under the Indian Penal Code and the Official Secrets Act.While considering the case, the Court impleaded the Central government as a party and examined the measures taken to prevent unlawful intrusions, trespassing and unauthorised access into defence land. .The Court was told that despite various security arrangements put in place to prevent intrusions into defence stations, trespassing was on the rise. “Post Terror strike at Pathankot Air Base and Uri Army Base, a number of numerous measures have been initiated to enhance physical security of defence installation/ station,” the Air Force told the Court in an affidavit.Notably, the Court was also told that messages such as "trespassers will be shot" were written outside Army and Air Force installations across the country. The Court opined that the use of such direct language could be avoided, although it agreed trespassers must not be allowed entry into the defence premises..As for the Nepali man who was accused of intruding into the Indian Air Force station, the Court eventually allowed his release on bail. The counsel representing the accused man, Etvir Limbu submitted that he was an illiterate person who had come to India for a job. There was no ill intention on his part while entering the Air Force station, the Court was told. The Court granted bail after noting that the criminal trial was likely to take some time and that there was no convincing material to indicate any possibility of evidence tampering. .Advocate Pradeep Kumar represented the accused.Additional Solicitor General SP Singh and Advocate Purnendu Kumar Singh represented the Air Force..[Read Order]