STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: A Division Bench of State High Court comprising Justice Hasnain Massodi and Justice Janak Raj Kotwal issued notice to Chief Secretary, DGP, IGP and SSP Jammu calling for detailed status report regarding withdrawal of security cover to judicial officers.
The Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed by two practicing Advocates namely Prem Sadhotra and Rajneesh Raina.
Adv Rohit Kapoor appeared for the PIL while Sr. AAG SS Nanda for the government.
The Division Bench also sought report on action taken, if any, in compliance of the Full Court Resolution of November, 2008 mentioned in PIL. The full court resolution regarding security measures for the judicial officers was taken at a meeting of ten High Court Judges headed by the then Chief Justice recommended to the Government for issuance of logos on vehicles carrying the description of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Judicial Magistrate and Judges. However, nothing has been done by the State in this context. Instead of adding up to their security, Respondents in terms of order dated 1.12.2014 have withdrawn even the personal security of the judicial officers.
Division Bench also directed In the meantime, at least one police personnel attached as PSO with the Judicial Officers as on date shall not be withdrawn till next date of hearing.
In the PIL it has been submitted that all the judicial officers including the 1st class Magistrates perform the nature of duty that has a potential of exposing to real threats and intimidation. Such incidents are numerous. Their duties include remand under offences like 302, 376 of Ranbir Penal Code, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Arms Act, NDPS etc. The District Judges also perform the nature of duties even on civil side which exposes them to threats and intimidation. The situation of law and order in the State is unsatisfactory and thus making the judicial officers more vulnerable.
In the PIL it has been submitted that there is complete non application of mind by the functionaries of State Government and police authorities while extending scope of the order dated 1st December 2014 to the judicial officers. JNF