High Court upset over incidents involving judges:Questions govt on security measures and schedules next hearing for December 4

The High Court has expressed strong displeasure over the attacks and crimes against judges in the state. The Court stated that when judges themselves have to ask for security, the condition of ordinary citizens can be imagined. A bench of Chief Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva has sought a response from the government on these incidents. Considering recent cases, the Court has given suggestions and set the next hearing date for December 4. It is worth noting that on July 23, 2016, a judge was attacked in Mandsaur, on which the then Acting Chief Justice Rajendra Menon took suo motu cognizance and registered a public interest litigation. Following this, incidents like the attack on a judge in Balaghat, and an acid attack on the presiding officer of the Bhopal Gas Authority came to light. These continuous attacks on judges raise serious questions about the security of judicial officers. Govt summoned for a response Regarding incidents happening to judges posted in the state’s lower courts, the division bench of Chief Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva and Justice Vinay Saraf adopted a strict stance. The court stated that ensuring the safety of judges is the government’s responsibility. When they themselves are forced to demand security, the condition of the common public in the state can be imagined. The court sought a response from the government on recent incidents and scheduled the next hearing for December 4. Side – security system strengthened On behalf of the government, Deputy Advocate General Swapnil Ganguly informed the court that strict security arrangements have been made by constructing boundary walls in all 52 district session courts of the state. He stated that the security system has been strengthened based on the reports of district-level monitoring committees. The Chief Justice said during the hearing that recently there were incidents of theft at the homes of two judges, in two cases attempts were made to break into homes, and a district judge was also attacked. He said, “Looking at these incidents, it absolutely does not seem that everything is alright. A complete breakdown of law and order is visible here.” The High Court is serious about the security of all district and sessions courts in the state and the judges posted there. Based on the reports of the district-level monitoring committee, necessary instructions are being given to the government to strengthen the security of judicial officers. ​