38.6c New Delhi, India, Thursday, March 28, 2024
Legal Insiders

Delhi HC Admin had raised concerns about security at Rohini Court a year ago

By ANUSHKA BHATNAGAR      28 September, 2021 03:18 PM      0 Comments
Delhi High Court Administration Had Raised Concerns about Security procedures in Rohini Court a Year Ago; Had asked for deployment of adequate police personnel within the complex

In September, last year the Delhi High Court administration had appraised the Judicial system that it was imperative to deploy police at the Rohini Court complex as there was inadequacy of security. 

BACKGROUND

A lawyer Kunwar Gangesh Singh had filed a Public Interest Litigation in July 2019 appealing to enhance the security at the various courts across Delhi so that the growing numbers of shootouts could be brought down, which had been reported previously. In response to this Public Interest Litigation, the High Court Administration had submitted an affidavit. 

However, the petition is still pending in the High Court for adjudication. 

REASON BEHIND THE FOCUS ON SECURITY 

Recently, these loopholes in the security of the Court have come into focus as a result of the shootout which took place in the Rohini Court where a gangster who was jailed Jitendra Maan alias Gogoi was killed by two members of the rival gang. The two assailants had entered the Court pretending to be lawyers, however, they were also killed when the police fired while protecting other people. 

The people who had witnessed the incident informed the media that the judge and the Court staff were also present at that time.

  

 

CONTENTIONS IN THE PLEA 

The plea highlighted the poor infrastructure and security systems due to which it is necessary for certain improvements to be made in the security of the Courts so that Justice could be delivered without any fear.

The petitioner also emphasized that there on the problem of an imbalance in the number of police posted for security compared to the number of visitors in the Court and highlighted that this kind of ratio could be very dangerous for everyone. 

The petition also threw some light on the fact that there is no proper code of conduct for the general public who come there to attend the Court proceedings and are allowed to meet these under trials without any procedure. The petition further questioned that why are the authorities not imposing certain regulations for the safety of everyone in the Court. 

The petition further illustrated that there are various incidents that have taken place and as a result not only the functioning of the judiciary gets halted but the public also becomes averse to bring their cases in the Court due to which accessing justice becomes difficult for the public. 

Furthermore, the petition held that the Delhi Police Rules, 2018 dictates security measures which ought to be implemented, however, these security measures are not practised in the Court during the proceedings. 

In order to reiterate the level of danger these lose security systems bring to the Court, the petition also illustrated various instances where the under trial was assassinated by such goons in the Court or in the presence of police personnel. 

PRAYER

At the end of the petition, the appellant prayed that the Court should direct the authorities to issue separate passes for visitors and students, as well as increase the number of policemen deployed for the security of the Court. 

AFFIDAVIT SUBMITTED BY DELHI HIGH COURT ADMINISTRATION 

The Joint Registrar (Management & Co-Ordination Cell(Building Maintenance Committee, District Courts) had filed the affidavit to highlight the need for CCTV cameras in the Rohini Court complex since they are ‘grossly insufficient’, this matter was sent to the Delhi Government, National Capital Territory in order to get Administrative approval and financial sanction. However, the matter has been pending since 25th July 2017 and even after repeated follow-ups no progress has been made. 

Furthermore, the affidavit held that out of seven districts in Delhi only Dwarka had a pass system like the High Court while in all the other Courts the consideration for such a system is still pending. 

The High Court Administration further held that there is an urgent need to increase the security arrangement in the Rohini District Court. 

IMPROVEMENT IN SECURITY 

In regard to the incident, there has been a substantial addition in the police force at the Court complex, and other than that 33 private security personnel and 01 supervisors have been appointed to ensure that such incidents can be prevented in the future. 

PRESENT SCENARIO 

In regard to the shootings, various petitions have been filed in the High Court and Supreme Court praying the Court to direct the administration to strengthen the security at the Courts. 

Chief Justice of India, Justice NV Ramana also expressed deep concerns in regards to the Rohini firing incident and shared it with the Chief Justice of Delhi High Court. 

Suo moto case has also been taken by the Supreme Court as a result of the killing of Justice Uttam Anand  of the Jharkhand District. 

In response to the queries of the Court in the suo moto case, the Central Government held that it is not possible to have a centralized special force for Court and the local police should be held responsible for the Court’s protection. 



Share this article:



Leave a feedback about this
TRENDING NEWS

sc-declines-to-reconsider-judgement-holding-conspiracy-to-be-scheduled-offence-under-pmla-only-if-offence-specifically-mentioned
Trending Judiciary
SC declines to reconsider judgement holding conspiracy to be scheduled offence under PMLA only if offence specifically mentioned [Read Order]

Supreme Court declines review, confirms conspiracy must relate to a scheduled offence under PMLA, dismissing appeal on money laundering charges.

27 March, 2024 07:40 PM
arvind-kejriwals-plea-for-interim-release-rejected-by-delhi-high-court
Trending Judiciary
Arvind Kejriwal's plea for interim release rejected by Delhi High Court [Read Order]

Delhi High Court rejects Arvind Kejriwal's plea for interim release in money laundering case related to liquor policy scam, pending ED's response.

28 March, 2024 10:50 AM

TOP STORIES

global-entertainment-giants-warner-bros-netflix-amazon-get-relief-from-delhi-hc-in-copyright-protection-case
Trending Business
Global entertainment giants Warner Bros, Netflix, Amazon get relief from Delhi HC in copyright protection case

Delhi HC grants relief to global entertainment giants like Netflix, Amazon, Warner Bros, ordering takedown of copyrighted content on rogue websites.

22 March, 2024 12:13 PM
arvind-kejriwal-arrested-can-cm-administer-a-region-while-being-in-jail
Trending Top Stories
Arvind Kejriwal Arrested | Can CM administer a region while being in jail?

Will President's rule be imposed in Delhi after Kejriwal’s arrest? Read the full article to know more.

22 March, 2024 03:16 PM
merely-because-you-are-politician-cant-bypass-statutory-remedies-procedure-sc-refuses-to-consider-bail-by-kavitha
Trending Judiciary
'Merely because you are politician, can't bypass statutory remedies, procedure,' SC refuses to consider bail by Kavitha

Supreme Court denies bail to politician Kavitha in Delhi Liquor Policy Scam; ED alleges Rs 100 crore illegal gratification.

22 March, 2024 03:34 PM
ponmudi-to-be-sworn-in-as-minister-tn-governor-relents-before-sc
Trending Judiciary
Ponmudi to be sworn in as Minister, TN Governor relents before SC

Tamil Nadu Governor relents to Supreme Court's order, agrees to swear in DMK leader K Ponmudi as Minister after court's rap.

22 March, 2024 03:54 PM

ADVERTISEMENT


Join Group

Signup for Our Newsletter

Get Exclusive access to members only content by email