“Security for judges and courts states’ responsibility”, says Center

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, special guidelines have been issued for the States.

Who will provide protection?

Public order and police are covered under List II of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India. Hence, security to the courts and the judges is within the purview of the States/UTs concerned.

However, in order to strengthen the security arrangements the Ministry of Home Affairs has issued guidelines.

About the MHA guidelines

The guidelines prescribe the constitution of the Protection Review Group (PRG). 

The PRG members will consist of the state special branch, intelligence and the home department. The PRG will undertake periodic review (every 6 months) of the security arrangement for the high courts and the district/subordinate courts as well as judges.

The registrar general of the respective HCs shall also be invited to PRG meetings when such arrangements are being discussed.

The PRG will also approve the security measures for the protection of judges.

Source: This post is based on the article “Security for judges and courts states’ responsibility, says Center” published in The Times of India on 6 September 2021.