A Bench of Delhi High Court led by Chief Justice of Delhi DN Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh recently took suo moto cognizance of the criminal activity of gun shootings which took place in the Rohini Court Complex at the daytime.

The Bench held that this is a very “grave matter” and it is required that immediate action should be given to such an incident. 

RESPONDENTS IN THIS CASE

The Court included various parties as respondents such as the Commissioner of Delhi Police, Ministry of Home Affairs and the Union Law Ministry along that the court has also added the Bar Associations in Delhi, including the Delhi High Court Bar Association as Respondents.
 

OBJECTIVE 

The main purpose of adding these parties as respondents as held by the Court is for them to file their suggestions for making the security at Courts as impenetrable as possible as it can be and also in order to increase the same. 

ORDER OF THE BENCH 

The bench noticing the conditions held that there was a need of increasing the number of police personnel at the Court Complexes, the order also held that the Courts need CCTVs to be installed which work around the clock. Other suggestions were that a full-proof entry system also needs to be installed in all the Court complexes and also in the Delhi High Court. Lastly, another suggestion made was that hi-tech metal detectors and baggage scanners need to be installed. 

These suggestions were to be shared with the Commissioner of Delhi Police as held by the Delhi High Court Bench. 

Furthermore, the Bench held that any other person interested in putting forward their suggestions is welcome to do so by filing interventions, however, the Court held that it will not be allowing anyone to file separate petitions for the same matter. 

NOTICE ISSUED 

In response to a plea heard by Justice Rekha Pillai, she had issued a notice to seek suggestions and directions from Delhi Police and Bar Council of Delhi in order to ensure the safety and security of District Courts of Delhi due to the concerns arising in the wake of the firing incident. 

PETITION FILED BEFORE SUPREME COURT 

A petition has been filed before the Apex Court in order to direct the Union Government as well as the State Governments to ensure the security and safety of the Subordinate Courts. 

ADVOCATES ASSOCIATION OF BENGALURU 

The advocates association of Bengaluru wrote to Chief Minister of the State, Basavaraj S Bommai, in order to ask for enhancing the security in all the Courts of the state and enactment of the Advocates Protection Act.(in reference to the Advocate Protection Bill of 2021).

The Advocates informed the Chief Minister of the shocking incident which took place in the Rohini Court complex in broad daylight. 

GUN SHOOTING INCIDENT 

In this incident Gangster Jitendra Gogi was shot dead when he was brought inside the court room by the assailants, who were dressed as lawyers. Witnesses told the media that the judge and the court-staff were present while the horrific incident took place.

CHIEF JUSTICE OF INDIA EXPRESSED CONCERN

The Chief Justice of India has expressed deep concerns at the incident and has spoken to the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court in this regard. Supreme Court is considering the option of taking suo moto case regarding the safety of the judicial officers. This consideration is contemplated in the wake of the murder of Jharkhand judge Uttam Anand in Dhanbad.