Himachal High Court Takes Suo Motu Cognisance of Security Lapse at Hamirpur Courts. DGP asked to file reply by July 23...
Shimla: Alarmed by a major security breach at the Hamirpur District Courts, the Himachal Pradesh High Court has initiated a suo motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL) and sought a comprehensive report on security arrangements in judicial complexes across the state.
The action follows an incident on May 25 when a man allegedly entered the Hamirpur court complex carrying a loaded firearm, unlocked the weapon inside the premises and threatened to kill advocates and judges.
The situation was brought under control only after the accused was overpowered by a Deputy Superintendent of Police and other police personnel who happened to be present in court for official proceedings.
Taking serious note of the incident, a division bench comprising Chief Justice G.S. Sandhawalia and Justice Bipin C. Negi observed that security arrangements at the court complex were grossly inadequate. The court noted that eight courts are functioning in the Hamirpur judicial complex, yet only one woman police official and one Home Guard had been deployed for security duties despite standing directions issued earlier by the High Court.
The bench also referred to the proceedings of the District Court Management System meeting held on April 29, where assurances had reportedly been given regarding strengthening security.
However, no effective steps were subsequently taken by the police authorities. The Superintendent of Police had even been summoned over the issue.
The High Court has now directed all District and Sessions Judges and Superintendents of Police in Himachal Pradesh to furnish reports detailing security arrangements in judicial complexes.
The reports must also indicate whether security personnel have been posted at the residences of District and Sessions Judges dealing with sensitive cases, including those involving capital punishment.
The State Government has further been asked to submit a status report on compliance with the directions issued by the Supreme Court in the case of Pradyuman Bisht versus Union of India.
The High Court has sought details regarding the establishment of Permanent Court Security Complexes and the number of security personnel deployed in district court complexes across the state.
The court has also sought an affidavit from the Director General of Police on security arrangements provided to High Court judges.
The bench observed that judges are presently accompanied only by two Personal Security Officers each and that no armed guards are deployed at their residences during night hours.
A consolidated affidavit is to be filed by the DGP after obtaining reports from all district police chiefs. The matter has been listed for further hearing on July 23, 2026.
The proceedings underline growing judicial concern over the safety of judges, lawyers and litigants in Himachal Pradesh's courts, particularly in the wake of the Hamirpur firearm incident that exposed glaring gaps in court security.
