Haryana courts become soft targets for gangs to free members

The Haryana Police Association blamed shortage of over 10,000 policemen in Haryana Police as the reason for these incidents.

The killing of a policeman in firing inside a court complex in Bhiwani on Monday has put the spotlight on Haryana’s weak security arrangements at state’s courts, which should ideally be fortified all the time due to regular hearings of hardcore criminals.

Police conducting an investigation outside Rohtak court where a shootout killed one and injured seven others. on March 28 last year. (HT File)

In the last one year, there have been over six incidents of assailants managing to free their accomplices or shoot dead their rivals that are brought to courts by police for hearings. In some cases, heavily-armed assailants have also managed to enter the court premises, dodging security arrangements and escape unchallenged.

In September last year, six armed assailants had stormed into Mahendragarh court complex and opened fire at cops to free a dreaded criminal who was facing charges in four cases of murder. The criminal that was freed is yet to be arrested again. Four policemen faced bullet injuries in the incident.

In a similar incident at Rohtak court complex in March last year, assailants dressed as women eliminated history sheeter Ramesh Lohar and also injured six others as they opened indiscriminate fire.

In Bhiwani alone, this was the second incident of firing inside court complex within a year. In May last year, a murder undertrial Sher Singh was shot dead by rival gang near lawyers’ chambers in court complex.

“The incidents of firings inside courts in Haryana are on the rise and pose serious threat to lawyers and other innocent people who visit everyday. The courts have become killing grounds for gangs to eliminate their rivals as breaking into jails to do the same is comparatively difficult. We recently submitted a proposal to police and sessions judge to make a separate entry for prisoners through backchannel that prevents any contact with people,” said senior advocate JK Gakhar.

Bhiwani superintendent of police (SP) Ganga Ram Punia said they were yet to get enquiry reports of security lapses that led to attacks in courts.

“We held a meeting with lawyer and judges today and decided to take steps. We will use more manpower in escorting criminals from jails to courts and install CCTV cameras and sub-division courts as well. More security arrangements are also being discussed,” he said.