Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, December 23

After the blast at District Court Complex in Ludhiana, the judicial officials at the District Court Complex in Jalandhar have raised their voice demanding better security arrangements at the complex.

The city police, too, tried to beef up security by deploying dog squads and checking the entire three-storey compound near BMC Chowk here. The security staff deployed at the court complex was given a special briefing and was asked to remain alert at all times and ensure frisking of every single person entering the court.

Largely on occasions when VIPs visit the court, the security remains active and alert. A complacent attitude was often seen during rush hours with visitors trying to avoid passing through metal detectors and hence entry of a person inside the compound with arms or explosives hidden inside jackets cannot be ruled out. The court complex has more than 1,000 visitors, other than judicial officials, court staff and lawyers, entering daily from the two gates.

The judicial officials expressed concern as a meeting was held under the chairmanship of District and Sessions Judge Rupinderjit Chahal. Amit Kumar Garg, CJM and Sushma Devi, ACJM and Om Parkash Sharma, president, Bar Association, were also present. Sandeep Malik, Joint Commissioner of Police; Aditiya, Assistance Commissioner of Police (headquarters); Jaspreet Singh, Assistance Commissioner of Police; Sukhdeep Singh, Assistance Commissioner of Police (Central) and Inspector Sewa Singh; SHO Navi Baradari, were also present to review the security on the court complex.

District and Sessions Judge Rupinderjit Chahal directed the police officers to ensure proper security so that any untoward incident can be avoided and there is no fear in the minds of judicial officers, employees, advocates and litigants. The police officers who were present in the meeting assured to take necessary steps for everyone’s security.

Three judicial officials, including the CJM, ACJM and Additional Civil Judge Senior Division, were asked to coordinate with the police officials regarding the security. Lawyers, too, expressed their concern about safety measures that need to be adopted.

Mandeep Sachdev, senior lawyer and former DBA president, said: “Only four cops are deployed at the commonly used gate. Only one of them is armed and there is no plan in place in the event of any eventuality like the way it happened today. The district courts, too, need to have safety measures for exit during emergency and bunkers to prevent any gate crash.”