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During hearing of the Suo Moto case relating to security and protection of State's court campuses, the Uttar Pradesh Government informed the Allahabad High court last week that the estimated cost at around rupees 21 crores have been granted for allotment of Biometric Smart Identity Cards fto all district courts. 

In his affidavit, Principal Secretary Law & Legal Remembrance, State of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow had stated that the approved estimated cost at Rs. 20,62,47,000 for preparation and issuance of Biometric Smart Identity Cards to the officials/employees/advocates etc. of different District Courts and UP Bar Council has been granted. 

In his affidavit dated January 5, 2022, he had further stated that the first installment of Rs. 10,31,20,000 had already been released by the State Government.

Before the bench of Justice Suneet Kumar and Justice Samit Gopal, it was also submitted that being nominated as the nodal agency for the purpose, the Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL) is further required to execute the work.

Last month, the high court was informed that ECIL would take approximately eight months to execute the biometric system and make the security equipments functional in the Azamgarh and Lucknow Judgeship, thereafter, they will be in a position to execute the system in the entire Uttar Pradesh in next 4-5 months.

Another report containing details with regards to the communication system and the status of CCTVs in State's district courts was also furnished before the high court on December 9, 2021, whereby it had appeared that a number of CCTV's were not functioning though had been installed. In its inspection, the ECIL too had found that only in 65 districts courts, CCTV system was functional.

It is to be noted here that in March, 2020 the State Government had decided to engage the ECIL for making security arrangements like installing CCTV cameras and baggage scanners in courts of district judges and the company is working on the same since. 

The instant case dates back to 2019 when after a shocking incident that took place in the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Bijnor on December 17, the high court had taken suo moto cognizance of the matter. 

On December 17, during Court hours while the District Court, Bijnor was functioning, two accused who had been produced before Court, were fired by three persons, resulting in death of one of the accused and causing injuries to injuries to Court Moharrir and other persons including CJM who somehow had managed to go to his chamber with other staff of Court.

Noting seriousness of the matter, the high court had suggested some steps for ensuring security in the District Judgeships of the State, and in furtherance of the same, present affidavit has been filed. 

Case Title: In Re: Suo Moto Relating to Security and Protection in All Court Campuses in the State of U.P. v. State of U.P