Security Concerns post Delhi High Court Blast

The high intensity blast outside gate 5 of Delhi High Court that claimed lives of 13 people and injured more than 75 has sent shock waves among the members of the legal fraternity all across the nation. This was the second blast outside Delhi High Court in a short span of three months. Bar & Bench had covered the blast news in detail..The high intensity blast outside gate 5 of Delhi High Court that claimed lives of 13 people and injured more than 75 has sent shock waves among the members of the legal fraternity all across the nation. This was the second blast outside Delhi High Court in a short span of three months. Bar & Bench had covered the blast news in detail..There has been no breakthrough in the case as yet and as per media reports, the Indian investigating agencies have established contact with their counterparts in the US and Southeast Asia, in their probe into the Delhi High Court blast. National Investigation Agency (NIA), which is probing the case along with Delhi police has got in touch with the US spy agencies to provide leads into the attack..As of now, the Indian Mujahideen (IM) is the prime suspects in the Delhi High Court blast as three emails have been sent in the outfit’s name claiming responsibility for the blast but there is no confirmation as yet..Prime Minister had announced a compensation of Rs.2 lakh to each person killed in this incident and Rs.1 lakh to those injured apart from the Government of Delhi separately announcing compensation for the victims. 38 cheques have already been issued from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund to the blast victims’ relatives. Eight cheques of Rs. 2 lakh were given to the dependents of the deceased and 30 cheques of Rs. 1 lakh each were given to those seriously injured, according to AsianAge..The second high intensity blast outside Delhi High Court has raised security concerns amongst judiciary and lawyers all over the country and the bar associations across the country are already taking steps to beef up security arrangements in the respective courts..Following the Wednesday blast, a high level meeting took place in which members of Delhi High Court Bar Association along with Chief Justice of Delhi High Court Deepak Misra, five senior judges and officials of police, the New Delhi Municipal Council, the Delhi government, the home ministry and other agencies participated to discuss the security measures, according to zeenews..The Delhi police as an initiative to improve security at Delhi High Court have issued an order to its officers deployed at the court asking them not to carry mobile phones while on duty. The Delhi police have also asked its officers neither to chat on cell phone nor to read newspapers or magazines while on duty..Several decisions were taken at the high-level meeting. From Monday the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has taken the charge of the inner security of the Delhi High Court replacing the Rajasthan Armed Constabulary (RAC). 49 CCTV cameras will be installed within the next three weeks in the court area, including at all the gates and outer and inner circle of the court. Four under-body car scanners will also be provided to the security personnel..As of now, all visitors will have to pass through a three-tier security arrangement while entering into the court premises and will be frisked at all of them. The checks would start from the point one would enter the complex to collect a pass, then as one would step inside the court premises and finally at the point of entry into the court building or the lawyers’ chambers..As per the new security plan of Delhi Police, all pedestrians carrying a bag or a briefcase heading towards the High Court will be checked by police deployed along the boundary walls of the complex. Also, pickets would be set up at 14 places around the High Court..Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also concerned about the security measures has asked Home Minister P. Chidambaram and Law Minister Salman Khurshid to consult with Chief Justice of India to take immediate steps to beef up the security in Supreme Court complex. The Home Ministry is also planning to request state governments to beef up security arrangements at all High Courts and lower courts..The Delhi High Court yesterday disappointed with the Urban Development Ministry in delaying for over three years on changing the usage criteria of 2.74 acre of land, allocated to the court in 2008, from residential to institutional purpose, has given two days to the Ministry complete the task, reports TOI. Delhi High Court was allotted 2.74 acres of land three years ago but Ministry failed to issue any notification despite several orders. The Court was hearing the petition filed by Delhi High Court Bar Association seeking a direction for allotment of additional land as there was lack of space. Senior Advocate A. S. Chandhioke appeared on behalf of DHCBA..The Bombay High Court too concerned with the security in the light of recent bomb blast has asked the Advocate General and Chairman of the Bar Council if the court proceedings can be videographed and have asked them to submit a reply. A single-judge bench of R.C. Chavhan raised the issue while hearing an application filed by social worker Indur Chhugani seeking the court proceedings to be videographed in the interest of transparency, fair play and justice..According to DNA, the bench observed, “Incoming crowds can be controlled if proceedings are recorded and telecast in a waiting room on the court premises or at citizens’ homes. Considering what happened outside Delhi high court, this method can ensure smaller crowds”..The first blast that took place outside Delhi High Court in May was a warning to improve the security arrangements and to be more alert but it appears since it was a low intensity blast it was not taken seriously. Had the first blast been taken seriously and if security measures had been put in place, this major tragedy could have been avoided. However, it seems now that this second powerful blast has shaken the legal fraternity, efforts are being made to beef up security in the courts all over the country.