MP High Court Voices Alarm Over Jabalpur Court Firecracker Incident, Seeks Security Report
The Madhya Pradesh High Court has raised serious concerns regarding a firecracker incident that occurred at the district court in Jabalpur on Monday, labeling it a significant security lapse. During a hearing on Tuesday, a division bench comprising Justices Sanjeev Sachdeva and Vinay Saraf, addressing a suo motu petition on judicial security, directed the state government to provide a detailed status report on the steps taken to ensure adequate protection for judges and court premises.
Panic Erupts in Court Complex Following Loud Blast
On Monday afternoon, panic spread through the district and sessions court complex in Jabalpur when a loud, blast-like sound was heard near Court Number 2, adjacent to the Chief Judicial Magistrate's chamber. The sudden noise caused lawyers, litigants, and court staff to scramble for safety, creating a chaotic scene. The incident has been identified as involving a firecracker, raising alarms about the vulnerability of judicial infrastructure.
Ongoing Case on Judicial Security Traces Back to 2016 Mandsaur Incident
The proceedings are part of an ongoing case focused on security for judges and their families, which originated from a 2016 incident in Mandsaur. In that case, civil judge Rajvardhan Gupta was manhandled on a highway, prompting the high court to order an inquiry. This inquiry has evolved into the current petition, highlighting persistent security challenges within the judicial system.
Previous Court Directives and Government Response
In past hearings, the high court had issued several directives to enhance security, including the construction of boundary walls around all courts, establishment of police posts within court premises, and implementation of adequate security measures in residential colonies for judges. During Tuesday's hearing, counsel for the state government informed the court that actions to comply with these directives have commenced, though specific details were not provided.
The court's intervention underscores the critical need for robust security protocols in judicial environments to prevent such incidents and ensure the safety of all individuals involved in legal proceedings.
