The Supreme Court has put curbs on the entry of law students and trainees inside its high security zone and has asked lawyers to be vigilant while signing entry passes for visitors.
The decision comes in the wake of a fresh threat letter received by the Delhi Police warning of a possible terror attack on the Supreme Court building. The apex court is already listed on a high threat perception after it refused to stay the hanging of Mumbai blasts accused Yakub Abdul Razak Memon on July 30.
A notification issued by Supreme Court Registrar Raj Pal Arora said, “The Competent Authority has directed that the entry of law Trainees and law Students to the High Security Zone will be restricted for one month.”
It is learnt that the Chief Justice of India even met office bearers of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) to seek their cooperation in this regard. According to sources in the Delhi Police, the threat letter warning of a bomb attack on Supreme Court came to a person, who forwarded it to a police official of Special Cell.
While discussing proposals to tighten security in and around the court complex, it was noted that entry of law students and interns associated with lawyers was a major cause of overcrowding in courtrooms. The Delhi Police even saw the large number of visitors entering into the High Security Zone to hold consultations with lawyers.
In the meeting with SCBA representatives, the CJI asked members of the Bar to step up the vigil and cooperate with the restrictions being imposed. Correspondingly, SCBA issued a circular backing the demand to curtail visitors and law students’ entry into high security zone in view of the “escalated threat perception”. It requested members to be extra cautious and report any suspicious activity or article to the police.
The circular urged members to be “very careful and discerning” before issuing entry pass slips to clients or visitors and ensure such forms are not left in the office or with clerks to prevent its misuse. To avoid hardship to visitors, the SCBA allowed lawyers to use the consultation room provided in the two chamber blocks for which visitors do not have to pay for the first half an hour of consultation.