No need for dedicated force to protect judges, courts: Government

Source: TOI

What is the News?

The Government of India has told the Supreme Court that there is no need to create a dedicated security force to provide protection to judges. Instead, a special unit or branch should be formed within the state police for this purpose. 

What is the issue?

1. A petition was filed in the Supreme Court in 2019 seeking measures to improve the security conditions in court premises in view of instances of attacks that took place in many district courts and High Courts (HCs) in the last decade.
2. The petitioner has asked for a special security force for the judiciary on the lines of the Railway Protection Force.
3. The petitioner said that a special force for judiciary already exists in countries like Australia and the US. So the petitioner demanded the same should be done in India as the police force is not capable of providing foolproof security due to excessive workload. 

What did the Supreme Court say?

1. The Supreme Court told the Government of India to submit its response to this petition.

What was the Government of India’s Response?

1. The Central Government has told the Supreme Court that there is no need to create a dedicated security force to provide protection to judges.
2. It is the responsibility of the state governments to provide security, as ‘public order’ and ‘police’ come within their purview.
3. Hence, a special unit or branch should be formed within the state police for this purpose. 
4. Moreover, the Central Government has framed guidelines and sent to all states/UTs on providing security to the judiciary. The guidelines said that there should be a specialised unit/branch within the state police to look after the security of judges/ courts.