A special force has been proposed to be raised to ensure security of the Supreme Court, the residences of the judges, the Chief Justice, the judges of both the divisions of the Supreme Court and the courtrooms of the Supreme Court.
The apex court administration proposed for naming this force as the Supreme Court Security Unit.
The Supreme Court has sent the written proposal to the various ministries to take necessary steps in this regard, sources said.
Legal experts have hailed the Supreme Court initiative saying that this should be come into effect as early as possible as the Supreme Court is a KPI or Key Point Installation. Therefore, there must be round-the-clock security there, they added.
According to the sources the Supreme Court had on December 31 sent a letter in this regard to the Cabinet Secretary, the Principal Secretary to the Chief Adviser and the Senior Secretaries of the three ministries of Home, Public Administration and Finance.
It was mentioned in the letter that judiciary is an importance organ of the state. But, due to the situation arising in the country and the ongoing political violence, the residence of the Chief Justice has been attacked by miscreants. Currently, the police, Ansar and Village Defence Force and Special Branch members are responsible for ensuring overall security of the Supreme Court area and the residences of the Chief Justice and judges, but they are deployed temporarily, according to the letter.
It was also mentioned in the letter that about 800 police members are currently deployed for the security of the Supreme Court, which is led by an officer of the rank of Superintendent of Police. But they are deployed temporarily. They can be transferred elsewhere at any time for state's need and at that time the Supreme Court remains unprotected.
The current structure for providing security to the Supreme Court is inadequate compared to the requirements. The letter cites examples from different countries around the world.
It mentioned that in South Asia, a Judicial Protection Unit has been established in Pakistan. In Italy, there is a separate security unit for the protection of judges. In addition, in the UK, a separate security force has been mentioned for the security of the courts through the Courts Act, 2003.
The letter further said the Chief Justice has directed to take appropriate steps to form a Supreme Court Security Unit in light of the separate security force for the security of the National Parliament Secretariat.
A 'directive request' has been made to establish a specialized marshal service consisting of members of the armed forces to ensure overall security of the Supreme Court premises, the Chief Justice, other Supreme Court judges, and the residences of the judges.
Barrister Mahfuzur Rahman Milon, Acting Secretary of the Supreme Court Bar Association, said, 'It would be good to have such a special force. However, the control of this force should be in the hands of the Supreme Court administration. Adequate manpower should be provided. Then it will be effective.'
Deputy Registrar of the High Court Division Dr Md Atikus Samad said, 'In different countries, there is a separate wing for the security of the Supreme Court. We have a separate wing for the Parliament Secretariat. We want a separate security force in the Supreme Court on the model of the Parliament Secretariat. The purpose of this wing will be to ensure the security of judges and court staff, protect the court building and property, ensure smooth judicial proceedings and maintain order in the courtroom.'
According to the Supreme Court sources, a separate letter was also sent from the Supreme Court to various ministries on January 16 to provide a Special Security Force (SSF) for the security of the Chief Justice.
The letter said that despite the police being the basic force of the executive branch, the senior members of the executive branch do not trust the police. For this reason, a 'Special Security Force' (SSF) has been formed for the security of VIPs including the Prime Minister. Since there is no separate security force for the security of the Chief Justice, he participates in various state day events outside, taking security risks.
The letter also said that Section 8 (1) of the Special Security Force Act, 2021 states that the main responsibility of this force is to provide physical security to the President and the Prime Minister or the Chief Adviser. Besides, Section 8(2) states that they will also provide physical security to 'very important persons.'
Deputy Registrar of the High Court Division Md Atikus Samad said, "We have sent a letter to the SSF to include the Chief Justice in the definition of 'very important persons' as per the Special Security Force Act."
Additional Attorney General Anik R Haque welcomed this initiative of the Supreme Court. He said in this regard, the Supreme Court is a Key Point Installation. Therefore, there must be round-the-clock security there.'
