Keeping in mind recent incidents in the Madras High Court and its bench at Madurai, the HC today suggested creation of an independent police force to maintain security, at least for six months and directed the Centre to create a mechanism to deploy its forces.
A division bench, comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice T S Sivagnanam while giving the direction, said the nitty gritty of its use could be finalized by the court's security committee and reminded lawyers that it was necessary to rebuild the institution.
"Rebuilding of this institution is necessary. It is your institution. State and central government have to work out the operation with regard to the security and submit a report by October 30," it said.
The judges opined that the role has to performed by an independent security force, while not removing the state police totally from the picture.
Making it clear that its views should not be seen as a reflection on the ability of state police, it rejected Tamil Nadu government's objection to handing over security to CISF or any agency other than state police, while the Centre expressed hesitation to accede to the court's suggestions, saying it should not lead to a 'Centre-state wrangle.'
The bench was hearing suo motu PIL proceedings initiated after the court witnessed unruly scenes and obstruction caused some time back by lawyers agitating for declaration of Tamil as official language of the court and opposed contempt of court proceedings against two Madurai-based Bar leaders.
Reiterating that there was clear lack of trust between lawyers and police, the judges said deployment of a neutral police force was only a temporary arrangement till trust is re-established. "It can initially for a period of six months."
The bench said some things which need to be done are not possible because of the 'bad blood' between police and lawyers and added that the institution cannot afford to take another chance with it's security.
