NEW DELHI: The third anniversary of Delhi high court blast saw a low-key prayer ceremony with kin of victims gathering at gate number 5.
Sunday’s remembrance was in contrast to earlier occasions when in 2012, on the first anniversary, judges led by the then Chief Justice and several lawyers paid tributes to victims of the blasts. Fifteen people were killed and several others injured when a bomb, near HC reception at Gate 5, exploded on September 7, 2011.
Since the attack, the Delhi High Court Bar Association and HC administration have worked with security agencies, including Delhi Police, to upgrade security inside and outside the court. After the blasts that HC got CCTVs installed in the entire court premises with constant monitoring from a centralized control room.
Speaking to TOI, the HC bar president Rajiv Khosla said there is a need to beef up security in areas where entry passes are made and work is in progress to achieve this objective. “Inside the high court complex, layered security ensures there is no repeat of the 2011 bombing. Lawyers have also cooperated fully with the police and security staff. We have already introduced biometric cards. Details of everyone entering the court get stored. Similarly, one of the measurers after the blasts was to barcode advocate vehicles entering the court,” Khosla has claimed.
However, the bar leader admitted constant vigil is required on the outer perimeter and outskirts of the HC. Even though parking of vehicles has been banned near the periphery, hurdles exist as was clear from the failed mock fire drill held recently. Two fire tenders, which immediately reached HC, failed to enter due to haphazardly parked cars.
Meanwhile, the trial of the accused terrorist Wasim Akram Malik is currently on. A special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court recorded statements of co-accused-turned-approver Amir Abbas Dev, arrested by the NIA. The court has framed charges under Sections 121 (waging war against country), 121-A (conspiring to commit certain offences against the state), 122 (collecting arms with intention of waging war against government) and 123 (concealing with intent to felicitate a design to wage war) of the IPC.
While the trial court had declined NIA’s plea to prosecute Malik under charge of waging war against India, which entails maximum punishment of death penalty, HC had restored the stringent charge.
The court has also framed charges against Malik for offences punishable under Sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 440 (mischief committed after preparation made for causing death or hurt), 436 (mischief by fire or explosive substance), 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder), 323 (causing hurt) and 325 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt) of the IPC. Subsequent to framing of the charges, Malik had pleaded not guilty and claimed trial.
NIA had filed chargesheets against six persons including Malik, Dev and a minor.
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TOI | Sep 8, 2014
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