Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 24: Division Bench of State High Court comprising Chief Justice Badar Durrez Ahmed and Justice Sanjeev Kumar today directed the Home Department to come out with a comprehensive plan of action on all the aspects relating to security of entire court complex and give a detailed presentation on November 30, 2017.
The direction in this regard was issued by the Division Bench in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) titled Summit Nayyar Versus State of J&K and Others.
After hearing Senior Advocate Sunil Sethi with Advocates Sumit Nayyar and Parimoksh Seth for the PIL and Senior Additional Advocate General Wasim Sadiq Nargal for the Home Department, DB observed, “the petition deals with two aspects concerning the court complex at Janipur which includes the High Court as well as Jammu District Courts. One aspect pertains to the security measures to be undertaken and the other aspect relates to the infrastructural issues such as maintenance and sanitation of the buildings”.
“Insofar as the security issue is concerned, it appears that there is a definite need for securing the entire perimeter of the complex by setting up/upgrading the boundary wall surrounding the entire complex. There is perhaps also a need for more pickets and for better lighting in the night hours”, the DB said, adding “in the past two years about eight incidents have occurred within the complex when individuals have brought weapons and even firing has taken place. It is, therefore, imperative that there should be a pass system which is put in place”.
“One pass system must relate to the regular visitors to the court namely the lawyers, their clerks and stamp vendors. The High Court and District Court staff should also be provided with smart cards. The Advocates would have smart cards, which are to be certified by the Bar Association”, the DB said, adding “the second set of passes would be on a day to day basis in respect of litigants and casual visitors. The gate pass system should also provide for the photographs of the visitors and should clearly indicate the purpose of the visit such as hearing of a case, bearing the case number etc and also the date and duration, during which they can remain within the court premises”.
“We are told that cars also pass freely through the main entry gate without any checking. The Advocates and employees of the Advocates as well as the entire staff of the High Court and the District Courts, who are entering the premises in vehicles, such as cars/scooters/motor cycles ought to be given specific passes which should be affixed on the vehicles. The other cars would have to undergo security checks”, the DB further said.
Senior Advocate B S Slathia, President of the Bar Association, who was also present in the court, assured full cooperation of the Bar to set in place the measures.
“The Home Department shall come out with a comprehensive plan of action and give a presentation on November 30. The presentation should also include the setting up of a proper X-ray facility at the gate itself”, the DB directed.
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