High time matter be attended at war level: Allahabad HC issues directions to ensure that reinforcement of security measures at subordinate courts are complete

The Allahabad High Court on Friday issued a series of directions to ensure that works carried out to reinforce security measures at subordinate courts are completed without undue delay..When the matter came up before the Bench of Justices Sudhir Agarwal and Suneet Kumar last week, the Court also directed the State of Uttar Pradesh to directly intervene on the issue so that bureaucratic delays do not stall the process of securing the courts. Taking critical note of explanations given for the delay in carrying out certain security measures, the Bench observed,." … ultimately it is the cause of security, which is suffering. No amount of explanation, in our view, may be allowed to dominate when objective is security of judicial works in the District Judgeships as that has to be given paramount importance.”Allahabad High Court.Taking note of various delays in carrying out security work, the Bench also opines in its order that,.… it is high time that matter now be attended at war level.Allahabad High Court .The Court has clarified that,.“… whether it is availability of requisite funds or observance of bureaucratic procedure or execution of work the ultimate responsibility is upon State and it has to ensure completion of requisite work necessary for security purpose in District Judgeships within a reasonable time which cannot be extended to suit the laxity of system. How and in what manner it shall be done, let it be planned, processed and executed by State Government.”.The Court has, therefore, ordered,“Chief Secretary, U.P., Lucknow to look into the matter and make appropriate assessment and submit an affidavit ensuring completion of work in this regard as per our directions given in earlier orders…”.The State is required to disclose the time-frame within which the security measures will be executed as well as how it would be completed, without any further delay. Ten-days time has been given to the State to respond, before the matter is taken up again on January 28..The Court on Friday was informed of the various security measures in place and proposed to boost the security in District Court premises, prevent unauthorised entry of persons and protect witnesses..In some areas, however, the Court was told that there were obstructions that needed to be taken care off before the security work is complete, particularly with respect to the construction of boundary walls..Among the issues reported, the Court was told that in some instances, lawyers’ chambers were also obstructing the construction of these boundaries. Taking note of the concern, the Court has now directed that lawyers cooperate as required so that the securitisation of the courts may be completed without much delay..Apart from directing the State Government to work through otherwise likely bureaucratic delays, the Court has also instructed District Judges to explain why action is not taken, if there are lawyers obstructing the security work. The Bench further cautioned,.“We reiterate that no person including an Advocate, shall be and should be, allowed to do something which is not authorized and also create obstruction in observance of security in District Judgeships. It is in larger interest, hence individual or collective obstructions shall not be allowed to continue.”Allahabad High Court.Specific directions have also been given to ensure that the installation of functional CCTV cameras are complete in all District Court room..“With regard to installation of CCTV Cameras, we do not find whether in the Court Rooms in District Judgeships, the same have been installed or not. If not installed, the same shall be installed and report will be submitted to this Court by 15.02.2020. If they are installed, report about their functioning shall be submitted and it shall also be informed as to when they were installed and whether they have been working throughout or not..“.The Court clarified that it must be ensure that the security systems in place must also be regularly maintained, for which separate arrangements may be made by the State Government,.“Further, wherever security systems have been installed, regular maintenance fund should also be provided and for this purpose, separate arrangements should be made and this shall be informed to this Court in the affidavit, which shall be filed by Chief Secretary, as directed above.”.Additional Advocate General Manish Goyal, assisted by Additional Government Advocate Syed Ali Murtaza, Uttar Pradesh standing counsel Akansha Sharma and Advocate Ashish Mishra, who represented the High Court, appeared in the matter..[Read the Order]