The Supreme Court has proposed special “permanent security units” to guard court complexes across the country, recalling incidents of gunfire and violence inside court premises.
“It is appalling that court premises in the National Capital itself, in the past year or so, have witnessed at least three major incidents of gunfire. Preserving the sanctity of a court as a space where justice is administered and the rule of law upheld being non-negotiable, it is critical that judicial institutions take comprehensive steps to safeguard the well-being of all stakeholders. Such incidents, that too on court premises, are deeply concerning and pose significant risks to the safety of not only judges but lawyers, court staff, litigants and the general public,” a Bench headed by Justice S. Ravindra Bhat and Dipankar Datta observed.
The court has asked State High Courts to prepare “security plans” in consultation with Principal Home Secretaries, Directors General of Police of the States and Police Commissioners to protect courts.
