In response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) citing the malfunctioning security equipment at the entry and exit points of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, a bench led by the Chief Justice has ordered the High Court’s counsel to submit a status report on the security measures. The PIL, filed by Rajesh Garg through Advocate Neha Matharo, highlighted that the non-functional security equipment in the court premises puts the lives of judges, lawyers, court staff, and the public at risk.
In the petition, Garg detailed that the security devices, supposed to be operational at the High Court, are not functioning, thereby compromising everyone’s safety. He had sought information through the Right to Information (RTI) Act about the security checks at the High Court’s entrance. The response indicated that the devices were in working condition. However, upon personal inspection, Garg discovered that the electronic security gates were not operational, and there was no system in place for entry via card scanning. This system would typically allow the gates to open automatically upon scanning a card or pass.
During the hearing, Senior Advocate Gaurav Chopra, representing the High Court, informed that this issue had been raised in a security committee meeting held on October 11, 2023. The committee had taken the matter seriously and was looking into it.
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The bench, led by the Chief Justice, has now directed the High Court’s counsel to file a status report addressing the complaints mentioned in the petition by the next hearing. Additionally, the court has emphasized the need to explore better, more convenient, and secure methods for entry and exit at the High Court.
