Govt asked to provide security to courts

The court directed the government to place on record details of the incident and also details about all such other murder incidents in court premises. On July 14, 1998, additional public prosecutor submitted that three murders had taken place in court premises of Surendranagar, Amreli and Bhavnagar in the last one-and-a-half-year.

The court on July 14, directed the government to reply as to what action it had taken so far to prevent repeat of such incidents. Besides, the court demanded to know whether the issue was ever considered at the highest level in the Ministry.

To this, government pleader Prashant Desai submitted that the government will provide necessary police protection to all the courts in the State as may be demanded by the High Court and that a circular, meanwhile, has been issued to police commissioners and DSPs to arrange for such to all courts.

However, Desai submitted that the issue so far was not brought to the notice of the highest authority, but added that he had apprised the Chief Minister and Law Minister about it.

Appreciating the government’s decision, the court observed "it is very essential" that a sense of security prevails in court premises and among its functionaries like the lawyers and the litigants.

"Maintenance of public order is the predominant duty of the State. Public order is synonymous with public peace, safety and tranquility. Violence in court premises clearly endangers public order. People should feel secure to approach the courts without fear of being maimed or killed," the court observed in its order.