The blast that rocked the Delhi High Court on Wednesday has triggered a series of changes in the complex's security infrastructure with the Central Reserve Police Force set to replace the Rajasthan Armed Constabulary for guarding its premises from Friday.
“The CRPF will take over security inside the complex whereas the entry points are manned by the security wing of the Delhi Police. Peripheral security for the entire premises is being taken care of by the district police,” said a police officer. While 14 pickets have been set up in the entire vicinity, the police would henceforth randomly check vehicles passing by the area. Eleven similar police pickets have been set up around the vicinity of the Supreme Court and patrolling intensified.
Apart from this major change approved at a meeting here on Thursday, it is learnt that the Sports Authority of India has also agreed to provide the closed-circuit television cameras it had procured for use during the Commonwealth Games for installation at the High Court premises. Security agencies had come under heavy criticism from all quarters for not having installed CCTVs despite the May 25 low-intensity blast at the Delhi High Court. “It will certainly help security personnel keep a constant watch over activities in and around the complex,” said another officer.
The officer said the Electronics Corporation of India Limited representatives have assured that the CCTVs would be installed within three weeks. The procurement of four under-vehicle scanners has also been cleared.
The system of issuing entry passes to casual daily visitors, including litigants, is undergoing a complete overhaul. As discussed, passes will be issued along with the photograph of the visitor. An internal system would be devised to ensure that security personnel are able to crosscheck whether the visitor has indeed met the person for whom he obtained the entry pass.
“Construction of the car parking complex close to the High Court is expected to be completed in three months. Till then, visitors will have to park vehicles on Bhairon Marg, from where they would be provided a shuttle service in the Delhi Transport Corporation buses. Parking arrangement for lawyers has been made along two of the radials at the nearby India Gate, from where they can also avail of the shuttle-service facility,” the officer said.
It is learnt that all the stakeholders would soon be involved to modernise security apparatus at court complexes across the city.
