CJI bats for deployment of CISF in courts

The Supreme Court on Wednesday recommended the Centre to examine the possibility of a separate cadre within the CISF to secure courts.

The apex court's suggestion gains significance in the backdrop of the violence which broke out between the lawyers and the police on court complexes in Delhi, as also in other court premises susceptible to violence.

Apparently referring to the recent violent clashes between the lawyers and the police at the Tis Hazari court complex, a bench headed by Chief Justice S.A. Bobde and comprising Justices B.R. Gavai and Surya Kant said the incident could have been averted had CISF been deployed there.

The Chief Justice said that he has communicated to the Ministry of Home Affairs to consider a CISF wing for courts.

In November last year, a disagreement between lawyers and police officers turned violent at the Tis Hazari court complex. As a consequence, scores of police personnel and lawyers got involved in violent clashes, leaving many injured.

The apex court told Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that the authorities concerned could look into establishing a separate cadre of CISF which would provide security in certain courts after a decision is taken by the Chief Justice of the high courts on the deployment of CISF.

Senior advocate Siddharth Luthra, appearing as an amicus curiae on the matter, suggested that bar bodies should be made stakeholders in this proposal, as there is a possibility of problems for lawyers.

He also recommended to get the Bar Council of India (BCI) on board for their views on the matter.

After a brief hearing in the matter, the court issued a notice to the BCI and sought its reply within two weeks.IANS