The Tamil Nadu government on Wednesday informed the Madras High Court that it was committed to implementing the Comprehensive Security System (CSS) evolved by the High Court. Adequate number of security personnel as sought by the high court would be deployed for immediate implementation of the arrangement.
The submission was made before the First Bench comprising Chief Justice M.Y.Eqbal and Justice T.S.Sivagnanam when a public interest litigation petition by an advocate seeking a direction to the authorities to take immediate and appropriate steps to implement security, traffic and parking arrangements on the high court campus, came up for hearing. The Advocate-General, A.Navaneethakrishnan, said the government would provide door-frame metal detectors at all the entry gates. Also armed and unarmed police personnel would be posted at the gates. Further, CCTV cameras would be installed at appropriate places. Baggage scanners would be provided. Anti-sabotage checks by the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad personnel would be arranged.
The Bench pointed out that soon after the Delhi incident an emergent meeting of the administrative committee was held on September 7 in which it was resolved that the CSS which was evolved earlier would be implemented. Other resolutions were also passed.
A Full Court meeting on Tuesday resolved to implement the CSS both at the Principal Seat and the Madurai Bench. Following a letter from the Chief Secretary dated September 12 on security arrangements, in reply, the Full Court resolved to address the State Government to provide round-the-clock security in the area in and around the High Court both here and in Madurai, for effective implementation of CSS. The Bench said a copy of the court order should be handed over to the Advocate-General to enable him to file a detailed affidavit. In the meanwhile, the Registrar-General should submit a detailed report on the next date of hearing regarding the overall requirements of the high court with reference to strengthening the security system bearing in mind that there were 74 subordinate courts/tribunals inside the high court campus. Security measures should be extended to those courts also.
The matter has been posted for September 26.
