Cameras, bag scanners not working, security infrastructure at Delhi courts still

At the Rohini complex, for example, 25 of the 55 CCTV cameras installed were not functioning, according to the district bar association. And at Tis Hazari court, as many as 68 of the 88 cameras are not working, according to the its bar association

Even as Delhi Police are on high alert in the seven district courts in the Capital since the sensational and shocking killing of gangster Jitender Gogi in a Rohini courtroom last month, several CCTV cameras and x-ray scanners are not functioning in court complexes, according to officials aware of the matter.

An ambulance is seen inside the Rohini district court. Two gunmen dressed as lawyers fired at gangster Jitender Gogi in New Delhi on September 24, 2021. (HT File)

HT spoke to officials in all six of Delhi’s district bar associations (Rouse Avenue court does not have one) on the status of their security equipment.

At the Rohini complex, for example, 25 of the 55 CCTV cameras installed were not functioning, according to the district bar association. And at Tis Hazari court, as many as 68 of the 88 cameras are not working, according to the its bar association.

The recent killing of gangster Gogi by two gunmen, who posed as lawyers to enter the court, has exposed the loopholes in the security at the courts.

When contacted, Delhi Police commissioner Rakesh Asthana said the police have started auditing the security infrastructure in district courts.

Many district courts have reported incidents of shooting earlier as well. In December 2015, a head constable was killed when members of a rival gang opened fire at notorious northeast Delhi gangster Irfan alias Chhenu Pehalwan when he was brought to Karkardooma court. Irfan escaped, but the constable was killed trying to protect the judge. In May 2018, an undertrial was injured when a gangster shot at him at the Tis Hazari court.