CRPF starts taking over Delhi High Court security

The move followed a decision at a high-level meeting Thursday to discuss the high court's security in wake of two blasts within the span of three months, Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA) secretary D.K. Sharma said.

The meeting, presided over by Chief Justice Dipak Mishra, had five senior judges, members of DHCBA, and officials from the Delhi Police, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), the Delhi government, the home ministry and other agencies present.

"The CRPF will take over internal security from the RAC. Meanwhile, the Delhi Police will remain present at all the security points in and out of the court premises," said Sharma.

According to Delhi Police officials, CRPF security personnel took the charge partially, but the RAC will leave their position slowly in a batch-wise manner. Sharma said it was also decided at the meeting, to install around 49 CCTV cameras 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 will start from the point one enters to collect a pass, then as one steps inside the court premises and finally at the entry to the court building or lawyers’ chamber blocks.

Installation of cameras, to begin Saturday, will be done by by Electronics Corporation of India Limited under the supervision of the public works department (PWD). These CCTV cameras will be of three kinds - standard, zoom-in and the ones which can also read car number plates.

There will be smooth parking system from Monday, as the NDMC has agreed to allot free parking for lawyers visiting the court. “Advocates can park 500 vehicles at no cost near India Gate C-Hexagon and at National Stadium. From their they can take shuttle services, which will be available anytime,” said Sharma.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation senior officials said that they will also be ready with the the multi-level parking near the high court within three moths.