SPECIAL UNIT TO HANDLE SECURITY AT CITY COURTS, DELHI POLICE INFORMS HC

NEW DELHI: The city police on Tuesday informed the Delhi high court that the security of the seven district courts in the national capital has been taken over by “the security unit”, a specialised wing of the Delhi Police, and necessary arrangements are being made to prevent a recurrence of the recent firing incident at the Rohini court, in which three persons, including gangster Jitender Gogi, were killed.

In a status report filed before a bench of chief justice DN Patel and justice Jyoti Singh, the police said security audits of all seven district courts have been conducted and the results are being analysed to decide on the further course of action to revamp the existing security setup at these courts.

The report also said security gadgets and systems on the district court premises are outdated, and they must be updated/replaced with high resolution CCTV cameras and monitors, 360-degree vehicle scanning with RF tag/bar code reader facilities, scanners for luggage and bags, scanners for explosives and narcotics, and boom barriers, among others.

“District courts may be directed to provide these security gadgets and logistics at the earliest to the security unit at each court,” the police said in their affidavit.

The police also recommended that technology be utilised to the maximum to conduct hearings, rather than the accused/litigant being produced before the court or being physically present.

The police reply came on a petition that the court had initiated suo motu, to ascertain the safety and security of litigants and other stakeholders following the shooting at Rohini courts.

On Tuesday, the court asked the other stakeholders, including the Centre, the Delhi government and various bar associations, to also give their suggestions so that they could be incorporated. The matter would next be heard on October 12.