Shivani Pandey-
Published on: August 13, 2021 at 10:03 IST
The Central Government recently informed the Supreme Court that there is no requirement of a devoted Security Force to protect the Judges and the Court premises.
The Home Ministry while opposing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) which requested for a Special Security Force for the Judiciary, stated that it is the State Government who has the job to provide security as ‘Public Order’ and ‘Police’ come under the ambit of the State Government.
The Central Government has formulated guidelines and circulated them among States /Union Territories, asking them to provide security to the Judiciary.
The plight of the members of the lower Judiciary was recently brought to light when a Judge was allegedly zapped down on July 28 in Dhanbad, Jharkhand by an Unidentified Vehicle.
“It has become expedient to improve the existing conditions of security measures in Court premises across the country, given several instances of attacks which took place recently in many Districts and High Courts”, the petition stated.
The Centre requesting dismissal of the PIL highlighted the fact that guidelines on the Protection of High Courts and District/Subordinate Courts had already been administered to all States back in 2007.
The guidelines provided that there should be a specialized branch in the State Police to look after the Security of Judges and Courts.
Also Read: What is the Responsibility of Government to protect its citizens? (Article-21)