HC stresses judicial officers’ need for personal security

Guwahati: Gauhati high court has underscored the urgent and critical need for robust personal security arrangements for judicial officers, particularly those presiding over criminal cases.

The court has also directed the home department of state govt and the Assam Police DGP to review the personal security arrangements of all judicial officers.


The court of Justice Pranjal Das was hearing a bail petition of Hafijur Rahman and Atowar Rahman recently, who were accused of attacking a judicial magistrate.

The petitioners were arrested on Dec 2 based on an FIR lodged by a judicial magistrate -cum- civil judge (Junior Division), Bilasipara in Dhubri district. He alleged that he was verbally abused and threatened on Dec 1 when he was on his way to office. The duo even tried to hit him with a wooden stick. The accused also vandalised his car.

After hearing the petition, the court said, “Needlessly to say, that not just the victim or the informant (magistrate) belonging to the judicial fraternity, every citizen is entitled to his right to public safety and security, irrespective of what he is in life. That right accrues as a member of the society and as a citizen and the right of public safety and security accrues even to foreigners visiting our county.”

However, the court granted bail to the accused, who had been in judicial custody since Dec 4, “considering the progress of the investigation and length of detention.”

But, the court observed that the “incident is also a reminder regarding the need for taking a fresh look at the security for judicial officers of all grades and not just senior judicial officers.”

“Judicial Officers in the course of their work, especially those working on the criminal side, could offend vested interests and invite risks. Therefore, their personal security at all times needs to be taken care of well,” the court said.

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