Security Of Courts Better Left To States: Centre Tells SC On Demand For National Force To Protect Judges

The Centre said this during a hearing in the apex court on the issue of protection of lower court judges across the country.

Supreme Court (File Pic)

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New Delhi: Dubbing the demand for setting up a national force to protect judges as impractical, the Centre on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that such a specific force should be formed by the states at their own level.

The Centre said this during a hearing in the apex court on the issue of protection of lower court judges across the country.

The apex court, which began the hearing taking cognizance of the suspicious death of a judge in Jharkhand, had sought response from the Centre and all states.

“We don't want to direct states on what should they do or not. Let the Centre talk to the states,” said an apex court bench headed by Chief Justice N.V. Ramana.

 

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, said “a model guideline has been issued to the states on the safety of judges”.

The apex court said that just issuing guidelines cannot be the ideal solution, adding the Centre should find out from the Chief Secretary and DGP of every state how much of it is being followed.

The Solicitor General agreed on this issue and said that he would advise the Union Home Secretary to convene a meeting of the Chief Secretaries and DGPs of all states.

The apex court also sought the Centre’s view on a petition, which demanded the creation of a national body like the Central Reserve Police Force or Railway Protection Force for the protection of judges.

Responding to the same, the Solicitor General said this is not a practical demand, adding the police and law and order are state list subjects.

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Only a state level institution will be able to work there in better coordination with the police, he said.

The apex court lashed out at the states, which did not file the replies in the case.

The apex court, while warning of imposing a fine of Rs 1 lakh, also said the chief secretary of the state, which did not file a reply before the hearing to be held after 10 days, would have to appear in person before the bench.

“No one except Assam gave a satisfactory reply. Many states have not yet filed their replies. Most states have reported issues like installing CCTVs in court. What will happen to CCTV? Will the attack stop?” said the apex court and asked the states to file better affidavits.