This is an archive article published on December 10, 2021
Rohini courtroom explosion: Security lapses exposed, say bar members
🔴 “We felt the force of the explosion and ran towards the exit, fearing more explosions would take place. Going to court should not be a frightening experience especially for the litigants,” Singh said.
Advocate Navneet Singh and his client were standing near court room 102 at Rohini District court, waiting for their hearing, when the explosive went off.
“We felt the force of the explosion and ran towards the exit, fearing more explosions would take place. Going to court should not be a frightening experience especially for the litigants,” Singh said.
Fear and panic ensued as more than 50 litigants and their lawyers ran to the nearest staircase and judges from surrounding courtrooms ran to their chambers along with court staff.
The explosion took place around 10.30 am at Metropolitan Magistrate Preetu Raj’s courtroom. A court staff present at the time said, “The judge was hearing regular matters when the explosion took place. The Naib Court was injured as the unclaimed bag containing the explosive was near his seat… We ran for our lives.”
#JUSTIN: A low-intensity explosion took place inside Rohini Court, naib court received minor injuries. Senior officials and forensic experts rushed to the spot. Probe on. @IndianExpress, @ieDelhi
Rohini Bar Association members told The Indian Express that not much has changed since gangster Jitender Gogi was gunned down before a judge by two assailants dressed as lawyers on September 24.
In the wake of the shooting, the Rohini District Court Bar Association (RCBA) members had convened a meeting where they discussed security lapses, need to augment security infrastructure including installing high-end scanners at important checkpoints, checking of police staff carrying case properties, and following the recommendations made by the HC. RCBA joint secretary, Arvind Vats claimed, “After the shooting, security agencies had installed sensors on the premises, which already existed… These were not high-end and those on premises are not working. We have inadequate police staff… Staff must be alert as machines can’t do everything. There was strict vigilance after the shooting, but this incident has exposed the lapses.”
An officer from the Delhi Police HQ said, “We increased the deployment at courts to prevent such incidents. The sensors and other security equipment should have been working. We were making arrangements. The incident happened inside the courtroom; we have spoken to lawyers, verifying all allegations, and will take necessary action.”
RCBA president Inder Dev Saroha said, “All of us, including police officers and judicial officers, will try to equip the court compound with better security.”
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The HC had suggested that all persons entering courtrooms be subjected to checking, and metal detectors and other devices be installed at the main gate of court complexes and outside every courtroom. It had also suggested the Police Commissioner to constitute a team of experts to periodically undertake a security audit of all district court complexes and the Delhi High Court.
Anand Mohan J is an award-winning Senior Correspondent for The Indian Express, currently leading the bureau’s coverage of Madhya Pradesh. With a career spanning over eight years, he has established himself as a trusted voice at the intersection of law, internal security, and public policy.
Based in Bhopal, Anand is widely recognized for his authoritative reporting on Maoist insurgency in Central India. In late 2025, he provided exclusive, ground-level coverage of the historic surrender of the final Maoist cadres in Madhya Pradesh, detailing the backchannel negotiations and the "vacuum of command" that led to the state being declared Maoist-free.
Expertise and Reporting Beats
Anand’s investigative work is characterized by a "Journalism of Courage" approach, holding institutions accountable through deep-dive analysis of several key sectors:
National Security & Counter-Insurgency: He is a primary chronicler of the decline of Naxalism in the Central Indian corridor, documenting the tactical shifts of security forces and the rehabilitation of surrendered cadres.
Judiciary & Legal Accountability: Drawing on over four years of experience covering Delhi’s trial courts and the Madhya Pradesh High Court, Anand deconstructs complex legal rulings. He has exposed critical institutional lapses, including custodial safety violations and the misuse of the National Security Act (NSA).
Wildlife Conservation (Project Cheetah): Anand is a leading reporter on Project Cheetah at Kuno National Park. He has provided extensive coverage of the biological and administrative hurdles of rewilding Namibian and South African cheetahs, as well as high-profile cases of wildlife trafficking.
Public Health & Social Safety: His recent investigative work has uncovered systemic negligence in public services, such as contaminated blood transfusions causing HIV infections in thalassemia patients and the human cost of the fertilizer crisis affecting rural farmers.
Professional Background
Tenure: Joined The Indian Express in 2017.
Locations: Transitioned from the high-pressure Delhi City beat (covering courts, police, and labor issues) to his current role as a regional lead in Madhya Pradesh.
Notable Investigations: * Exposed the "digital arrest" scams targeting entrepreneurs.
Investigated the Bandhavgarh elephant deaths and the impact of kodo millet fungus on local wildlife.
Documented the transition of power and welfare schemes (like Ladli Behna) in Madhya Pradesh governance.
Digital & Professional Presence
Author Profile: Anand Mohan J at Indian Express
Twitter handle: @mohanreports ... Read More
