The Himachal Pradesh High Court has taken suo motu cognisance of a serious security breach at the judicial court complex in Hamirpur, where an individual allegedly entered the premises with a loaded firearm and threatened judges and advocates.
Division Bench Initiates PIL
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia and Justice Bipin Chander Negi initiated a public interest litigation (PIL) after receiving a report from the district and sessions judge, Hamirpur. The incident occurred on May 25, when a person entered the court complex carrying a loaded gun, unlocked the weapon inside the premises, and threatened to kill advocates and judicial officers.
The individual was overpowered and apprehended by a deputy superintendent of police and other police personnel who had come to attend court proceedings.
Security Lapses Highlighted
In an order passed on June 4, the high court noted that despite eight courts functioning in the Hamirpur judicial complex, only one woman police official and one home guard had been deployed for security, allegedly in violation of standing instructions issued by the court. The bench also referred to the minutes of a district court management systems meeting held on April 29, which indicated that assurances regarding enhanced security had not been implemented.
Directions Issued by High Court
The high court has directed all district and sessions judges and superintendents of police concerned to submit reports on security arrangements in judicial complexes and at the residences of judicial officers handling sensitive cases. The state government has also been asked to file a status report on compliance with the Supreme Court directions regarding court security infrastructure and the establishment of permanent court security complexes.
The state government is required to inform whether the high court judges had been provided any security at their residences. Currently, only two personal security officers are provided for each high court judge, who are not on duty at night with them.
Consolidated Affidavit Sought
The Director General of Police (DGP) has been asked to file a consolidated affidavit after getting a report from all the superintendents of police. The matter will now come up for hearing on July 23.
