Undertrial Prisoner Killed in Delhi Court Raises Serious Security Concerns

An incident at Saket Court has raised concerns about security after a prisoner was killed by fellow inmates. The Saket Court Bar Association highlighted several lapses that contributed to the violent event, which has tarnished the court's reputation.

The victim, an undertrial prisoner, was attacked by two men who repeatedly kicked him and smashed his head against a wall. This occurred in front of many other prisoners. Narendra Sharma, the association's vice president, criticised the police for not being aware of any existing feud among the prisoners.

Security Concerns and Recommendations

Sharma emphasised the importance of assessing prisoners' offences before placing them in lock-ups. He suggested implementing smaller lock-ups and categorising prisoners based on their alleged crimes to prevent such incidents. He noted that no risk assessment was conducted, which is crucial to maintaining safety.

Dhir Singh Kasana, a former secretary of the association, pointed out that the incident exposed inadequate security measures within the lock-ups. He mentioned that modern technologies like video conferencing could be used for high-risk prisoners instead of bringing them physically to court.

Impact on Court's Image

Sharma expressed concern that although the incident did not directly impact lawyers or litigants, it has negatively affected the court's image among the public. He stressed that a robust security system is essential to prevent violent clashes in court premises.

Kasana added that the incident has instilled fear within the court environment. He called for a comprehensive investigation to uncover the reasons behind this tragic event.

The association's leaders believe that addressing these security lapses is vital to restoring confidence in the court's safety measures and preventing future occurrences.

With inputs from PTI