HC to restrict entry of vehicles

Chennai, Jul 29 (UNI) The Madras High Court has decided to ban entry of all vehicles, other than that of advocates, press and officials into the court premises.

The ban will come into force on July 30.

A High Level security committee meeting of the court, which met here yesterday, also stipulated that henceforth all advocates must leave their chambers by 2000 hrs. No vehicle can be parked on the campus after 2030 hrs as all vehicles, including that of advocates, should be out of the court premises by then.

The High Court security committee meeting was chaired by Chief Justice A K Ganguly. The meeting was attended, among others, by Justices D Murugesan, K Ravirajapandian and C Nagappan, all members of the security committee of the Court and office-bearers of advocates associations --Madras High Court Advocates Association (MHAA) President R C Paul Kanagaraj, Secretary M Velmurugan, Madras Bar Association President R Krishnamoorthy, Women Lawyers Association President K Santhakumari and Law Association President Krishnakumar. Chennai City Commissioner of Police (CoP) R Sekar attended a review meeting earlier.

During the discussion, leaders of advocates associations told the Police and Court officials that so far 7,000 members had been photographed and that the compilation of a comprehensive database was underway. Distribution of photo identity cards for advocates would begin on August 14, they said.

Installation of door frame metal detectors at all eight entry points and augmenting the strength of the 230-member police force, guarding the premises, too were taken up with a view to shore up security. However, while advocates resented the non-utilisation of hi-tech gadgets, authorities blamed non-cooperation on the part of advocates for the failure of all regulatory measures in the campus.

The committee also decided to issue passes to the litigants for their entry to the court.

Though beefing up the general security in the premises has been high on the agenda of court officials for some time now, this is the first time entry restrictions are being seriously implemented.

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