HC expresses concern over security in Maha after 26/11

Mumbai: Expressing concern over security measures in the courts of Maharashtra, the Bombay High Court today sought to know from the state government what steps it has taken and proposes to take to deal with and prevent terrorist activities. [caption id=“attachment_113081” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Expressing dissatisfaction with the affidavit filed by the government today, the bench observed that the affidavit is silent on several security aspects. Reuters”]  [/caption] A division bench of Justices DD Sinha and VK Tahilramani was hearing a bunch of public interest litigations filed after the 26 November 2008 terror attack seeking for Maharashtra government to increase its intelligence machinery and equip itself to prevent terrorism. Expressing dissatisfaction with the affidavit filed by the government today, the bench observed that the affidavit is silent on several security aspects including by when the recommendations of the Ram Pradhan Committee would be implemented. “We want you (government) to act effectively and quickly. You should have all agencies looking into the security of the state functioning. We cannot forget such sensitive issues,” Sinha observed. The bench also raised questions about security measures deployed at all the courts in Maharashtra. “How do you plan to monitor all the persons including litigants, advocates coming in and out of courts every day? It is like an open house. Nobody should be allowed to enter court premises without being frisked,” Sinha said. PTI