STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: SSP Security, Jammu has filed a comprehensive report with series of recommendations in a Public Interest Litigation filed by Advocate Summit Nayyar seeking directions regarding security in court complex.
On Wednesday a Division Bench of State High Court Comprising Chief Justice N Paul Vasanthakumar and Justice Bansi Lal Bhat observed that as regards policy of state and criteria to make assessment of the threat, a comprehensive report stands filed by SSP Security, Jammu.
According to the report elaborate security cover is provided to an individual on the basis of threat perception report as per guidelines of Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India as laid down in a classified document known as “yellow book”.
As per the report All Judges of this Court are categorized as “Z” category protectees.
Presiding officers of TADA/POTA Courts have also been placed in “Z” category. Other Judicial Officers are provided security cover by the District Police within their territorial jurisdiction as per local threat.
Division Bench further observed that the compliance report lays bare that strategic locations for installation of CCTV cameras in Court premises at Jammu and Srinagar have been identified and proposal for allotment of funds for procurement of 50 CCTV Cameras, 25 for each location has been submitted to State Government. Progress in this regard shall be reported within four weeks. PDJ Jammu shall identify a room for utilization as command room for installation of monitors for CCTV purposes at the ground floor of the main building and submit compliance report in this regard.
Regarding Security provided in District Court Complex, the report reads that the District Court Complex main building is having only one main entry point at the Atrium whereas another entry near the parking area is exclusively for physically disabled persons. The other Court building is having two entry points. Nafri of security wing is deployed at the access points and security gadgets like Door Frame Metal Detector (DFMDs) and Hand Held Metal Detectors (HHMDs) are positioned there for frisking and checking of the visitors. Advocates are not subjected to physical manual checking but they have to pass through DFMDs. During peak hours, there is huge rush of litigants, advocates and other visitors at these access points and it is difficult to control persons seeking entry who stand in a queue due to scarcity of space as the Atrium area is occupied by advocates. It is suggested that the door of existing gate of main building be modified and separate entries be provided for advocates, staff and general public.
It is urgently required to be done as in case of emergency more exit points are provided. Separate entry for judicial officers is also required to be restored.
Division Bench on consideration of the report and evaluation of the suggestions pouring in from all stakeholders, it becomes necessary to provide for more entry and exit gates to be installed in the main building of District Court Complex at Janipura, Jammu.
The main building houses around two dozen Courts besides various offices and bar rooms. Presently, it is provided with only one entry/exit gate, the other one being restricted for use of physically challenged persons. There is no separate entry for advocates. At peak hours, it is difficult to manage the flood of visitors. This would necessitate structural changes to be effected in the building and directed MD JKPCC to constitute a team of Technical Experts for conducting a survey on spot for exploring all possibilities of making structural changes necessary to open two more entry and exit gates to cope up with the rush of visitors including advocates, litigants and staff at peak hours without compromising with the safety of the building and based upon such report effect the structural changes within the shortest possible time. The entry/exit gate meant for the Judicial Officers/Presiding Officers of Courts shall also be made functional. ADG Security shall provide security gadgets like DFMDs and HHMDs with necessary man power support for regulating entry and exit at all gates.
Regarding Entry Passes, Division Bench observed that suggestion regarding issuance of multi-coloured passes to the visitors for restricting their movement to a particular area is not opposed. This would necessitate setting up of reception counters at the entry points. A mechanism needs to be evolved in this regard.
Division Bench further observed that the issue regarding security cards is required to be taken up with Information Technology Department which has the expertise in fabrication of Biometric Cards.
Decongestion of traffic in the High Court Complex being a priority, vehicles of general public are required to be disallowed from T-Junction on Janipur High Court road.
President Bar Association needs to respond to the suggestions made in this regard and in the compliance report, several points have been raised for ensuring fool-proof security arrangements within the premises of High Court Complex. These include installation of a proper iron gate at the end of boundary wall near judicial academy, deployment of a receptionist at the main gate for identification of the entry-seekers, fixing of sentry posts all along the perimeter wall, provision for a drop gate barrier at the junction leading towards the entry gate of Judges and setting up of a command room for monitoring and surveillance of CCTV footage in High Court. Registrar General shall be required to examine these suggestions and come up with his response.
