Delhi High Courts' security duly audited, but suggestions dumped

After the May 25 blast outside the Delhi High Court, a security audit was carried out by intelligence agencies to review security in and around other high courts.

Delhi, Mumbai and J&K high courts along with lower courts where cases against terrorists were under trail, were picked up for audit after inputs from intelligence agencies that these places can be targeted by terrorist groups.

The audit raised concern about the lack of adequate security measures at these judicial complexes.

A meeting with all state police department was conducted and an advisory sent to all state police chiefs.

Several measures were suggested to beef up security, including installation of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras, biometric identity cards for all practising lawyers and additional deployment of security personnel.

"Following a series of inputs from intelligence agencies, some of the courts' complexes where terrorism-related cases were going on, have become high-value potential targets. A detailed advisory was dispatched to all state police after a security audit," said a senior police officer.

In case of Delhi high court, installation work of CCTV cameras at all 10 entry gates was advised. But that proposal was still pending with the police.

After the May 25 bomb attack, Delhi Police and other security personnel were deployed in large numbers.

Gate 1 is for judges, and 2, 3 and 4 are kept closed.

Litigants enter through Gates 5 and 7. Gate 6 is used for parking vehicles on court premises. Gate 8 is for lawyers. Gate 9 is not used by anyone but police keep a watch.