The fast-track courts being readied for the trial of the nine riot cases probed by SIT will have special features.
The fast-track courts being readied for the trial of the nine riot cases probed by SIT will have special features. Security of all those who are related to the cases and smooth running of the trials are of utmost importance for the Supreme Court-appointed probe agency.
Of the nine cases, the one relating the Sabarmati train carnage will be tried from the high-security premises of Sabarmati Central Jail. The other eight cases will be tried at the special fast-track courts
being readied for the purpose.
Of the eight cases, three that belong to Ahmedabad — Naroda Patia, Naroda Gam and Gulbarg Society — will be tried at three fast-track courts being readied at the Old High Court premises on Ashram Road. The other five cases will be put on trial at similar fast-track courts at the headquarters of the districts where those incidents had happened.
According to sources, the public works department (PWD) has almost completed the work at the Old High Court complex for reading three court rooms. All the three court rooms will be on the first floor of the building. This is from the security point of view and also to avoid any kind of disturbance.
The SIT decided to set up the three courts at Old High Court building after it was convinced of the strategic location of the building. Though the building is located off the busy Ashram Road, the area surrounding it is less congested in comparison to Bhadra where the regular city civil and sessions court is located.
Bhadra and the surrounding area are highly congested and on any given day the traffic movement is heavy. This, sources said, could jeopardise the security arrangement if the special courts were made to run from there. SIT chairman RK Raghvan visited the Old High Court premises and gave the go-ahead for the special courts there.
At the Old High Court complex, near Income Tax circle, there are four family courts running from the ground floor. The first floor is free and has specious rooms. The parking area is also quite large. Each court room will have the capacity to accommodate 100 people, keeping in mind the number of visitors expected and the number of accused and witnesses involved in each case. Entry to the court rooms will be restricted and a person will be thoroughly frisked by security personnel before being allowed entry.
The court building will be turned into a fortress, with paramilitary forces deployed in the premises.
SIT has already asked for personnel from Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). There will be police personnel in plainclothes to keep a watch on mischief-mongers. Besides, the local police be present to ensure law and order. Inside each court room, there will be closed-circuit cameras to record the proceedings. There will be a special record-room to preserve the documents with security cover and also a room for lawyers.
So far as the witnesses are concerned, SIT will make elaborate arrangement for their security and transportation to and from the court.
The special courts in other places like Mehsana, Anand and Sabarkantha districts will have similar features and facilities.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}