A section of lawyers is planning to drag the state government to the High Court against its “failure” to strengthen security at the City Civil and Sessions Court complex in Bengaluru.
The Five Year Law Course Advocates’ Association says it will file a contempt of court petition over the government’s “failure” to enforce an earlier order of the High Court. In 2012, president of the association, S Umesh, along with other advocates, had moved the High Court seeking security measures at the City Civil and Sessions Court complex. They wanted CCTV cameras, metal detectors, ban on private vehicles and luggage screening at entry points of the court complex, similar to what has been adopted in the High Court.
Before filing the petition, the association said it wrote to then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, then Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda and then Home Minister R Ashok in 2011, seeking the security measures.
“Based on our petition, the High Court ordered the government to take immediate steps to provide security. CCTV cameras have been installed but not other facilities,” Umesh said. Every day, more than 10,000 people visit the court complex which has over 100 court halls besides banks, canteens, hawkers and a public parking place.
The association says it fears untoward accidents like the bomb blast in a toilet on the Mysuru court premises. Security must be strengthened in the City Civil and Sessions Court complex, the magistrate court complex, the district court complex and other courts in the city to ensure the safety of litigants and lawyers. “At the City Civil Court, we do not know who enters and who leaves,” said M N Shivakumar, a member of the association.
The association also wants a background check of the owner and staff of shops, identity cards for employees and police besides visitors’ passes for clients of lawyers.
Security at KRS
Following the blast on the Mysuru court premises, security has been heightened at KRS in Mandya district. The strength of Karnataka State Industrial Security Force at KRS has been increased.
Published 02 August 2016, 20:07 IST