CJI Ramana Expresses Deep Shock At Ludhiana Court Blast; Raises Concern About Lack Of Adequate Security In Courts

The Chief Justice of India, Shri Justice N. V. Ramana expressed deep shock at the incident of blast that occurred in Ludhiana District Court Complex today.

Expressing grave concern at the lack of adequate security in court complexes, he hoped that the law enforcing agencies will pay necessary attention to ensure protection for the court complexes and all the stakeholders. Such incidents occurring in quick succession across the country is a worrisome trend, he observed. CJI Ramana called up the Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court Shri Justice Ravi Shankar Jha and enquired about the development. Justice Ramana also offered condolences to the bereaved members of the family of the deceased and wished speedy recovery of those injured.

The blast reportedly took place at 12:22 pm inside a bathroom on the second floor of the building. The explosion damaged the walls of the bathroom and ripped through a section of the building, besides shattering glass in nearby rooms. The district court was crowded and functioning when the explosion took place.

Police have confirmed one death in the explosion, though initially two deaths were reported from the spot.

On December 9, a low-intensity blast had occurred in Rohini Court complex in Delhi, leaving few injured. Few days ago, the Delhi police nabbed DRDO scientist Bharat Bhushan alleging he planted the explosives in a laptop bag in the courtroom to kill his former neighbour.

It may be recalled that in the same court complex in Rohini, a horrific shootout as part of gang rivalry had taken place in September, which left four gangsters dead. The incident had highlighted the security lapses in the court, on which the Delhi High Court took cognizance.

The Chief Justice of India had taken suo motu cognizance of the issue of security of judges and courts in the wake of the killing of a District Judge in Dhanbad, Jharkhand. The CJI had called for a special police force in the lines of RPF, CISF etc., for courts to enhance security. The Central Government responded by saying that a national level special force for courts may not be feasible as the state police will be in a better position to deal with the protection of judges and courts as the threats will be "state-specific".