The Delhi High Court directed police to regularly review security at all district courts following a courtroom assault incident. A Bench led by D K Upadhyaya stressed coordinated measures for ensuring courtroom safety.
NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court directed police to maintain and periodically review security arrangements at all district courts in the capital. The order concludes suo motu proceedings launched after an alleged assault on a lawyer by opposing counsel inside a locked courtroom earlier this year.
A three-judge bench Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya, Justice V. Kameswar Rao, and Justice Nitin Sambre stressed that courtroom safety must be ensured through continuous coordination between law enforcement and the judiciary.
The matter arose from an incident on February 7 at the Tis Hazari Court complex, where the court noted a lawyer was reportedly “beaten and heckled” by opposing counsel while the courtroom door was bolted from the inside.
The High Court took suo motu notice on February 9 after the Supreme Court suggested the aggrieved lawyer seek relief from the high court. At the time, the court voiced grave concern over the security breach and the physical confrontation inside a place of law.
During the hearing, Delhi Police counsel informed the bench that investigations into the First Information Reports (FIRs) lodged by both parties have concluded and that a chargesheet will be filed in the trial court shortly.
Authorities also stated that “adequate police personnel” have been placed at various district courts and that comprehensive reviews of the bandobast (security arrangements) in each district have been completed to avert future lapses.
Finding that the immediate remedial steps were in motion, the bench held that keeping the petition open served no further purpose but imposed a continuing obligation.
The court ordered,
“We direct that the security bandobast which has been put in place in each of the district courts shall continue and shall be reviewed on a regular basis by the police authorities in consultation with the respective principal and district judge,”
The ruling makes clear that security will be an ongoing, consultative process rather than a one-time response to the February incident.