TN Govt is playing games with High Court security: Madras Chief Justice, SK Kaul

The First Bench of the Madras High Court has come down heavily on the Tamil Nadu government for its approach with regard to security at the High Court campus..In the background of a history of misdemeanours within the High Court campus, Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice TS Sivagnanam had passed an order on October 12, directing the state government to provide an independent security agency, such as the CISF, for manning “certain essential areas” within the High Court campus..The idea was to introduce this independent security force for a period of six months, following which the local police could be once again be entrusted with maintaining peace and order within the High Court campus..Pursuant to this order, the Centre agreed to deploy 650 Central Force personnel for the said period of six months. To this end, the Centre had asked the state to deposit an advance amount of Rs. 16.6 crore with the Court..However, the order dated October 30 reveals that the state government has done little in the way of complying with the directions..In his order, Justice Kaul says the state government is guilty of “playing games qua a sensitive issue like the security of the court”..“The reservations expressed by the State Government include specious pleas as if two Forces cannot work together, local police is responsible for maintenance of law and order and are best placed to handle the job, non-familiarity of local language, etc….We express our deep anguish as this issue is being unnecessarily made into more of an ego issue with political overtures rather than look into the larger canvass of the security requirements of the High Court.”.The Bench also reiterated the need for an external, independent security agency, given the friction between the local police and the Bar over the years. The current police force’s apathy is another factor cited by the Court..“The Police took no steps at least to stop the banners from being brought into the Court premises. There is an unusual and unhealthy practice of lawyer[s] marching through corridors shouting slogans when abstaining from work and even entering the precinct of the Court room – unhindered.”.The Court also stated that the deployment of the Central Force would only be a temporary measure, after which the local police could take over. It was also pointed out that similar arrangements are in place at the Supreme Court and the Delhi High Court..In light of the state government’s lack of cooperation, the Court passed a stern order directing it to deposit the advance amount within 7 days, that is, by November 6..The Court also made it clear that the new security system should be in place when the High Court opens after the Diwali vacations, on November 16..Read the order dated October 30:.Read the order dated October 12:

TN Govt is playing games with High Court security: Madras Chief Justice, SK Kaul

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