The Madras High Court has issued a directive for heightened security protocols within its premises, including baggage inspections and personal frisks at entrances, following revelations of security threats involving homemade bombs. This decision aims to safeguard all individuals entering the court campus, which houses the city civil and family courts.
The directive came after investigations into the 2024 murder of BSP leader K Armstrong uncovered incidents where homemade bombs were smuggled into the High Court complex. The court’s decision reflects growing concerns over the safety of court officials, lawyers, litigants, and visitors.
A division bench, comprising Justices S M Subramaniam and M Jothiraman, issued the orders during the adjudication of a series of habeas corpus petitions related to the detention of individuals allegedly connected to Armstrong’s murder. The Justices stressed the need for maintaining existing access protocols for lawyers, court staff, and litigants while ensuring that all current entry and exit gates remain operational.
In addition to manual checks, the court has ordered the installation of an adequate number of CCTV cameras and the deployment of plainclothes police officers throughout the complex to monitor and ensure comprehensive coverage and security.
The bench has given the police a deadline of eight weeks to implement these security enhancements, with a follow-up hearing scheduled for February 6 to assess progress and further needs.
