RAJ KUMAR
Ranchi, Aug.30: After the death of Dhanbad Judge Uttam Anand in a mysterious circumstance, Jharkhand High Court is very much serious about taking the security of judges across the state but a short visit to the Judge Colony in Jharkhand capital suggested that seriousness is yet to show its impact.
The Judge Colony in Ranchi is under the security of just five policemen of the district police. The number is so limited that it is difficult to find even two at a time ready for security.
It was experienced when visited the colony in front of gate number 4 of Raj Bhawan on Kanke Road under Sukhdeonagar police station area where more than 45 judicial officers of the civil court handling hundreds of cases of heinous crimes reside with their families.
At the entrance, only one policeman armed with a firearm was noticed. He was alone but was doing many tasks. He was taking care of visitors coming to the colony, opening gates for four-wheelers and keeping vigil on unidentified persons besides taking care of his firearm. The policeman had no equipment to frisk anyone.
When this correspondent met him he was so busy with his work that he was not in a position to tell anything despite the request. When asked how is able to frisk so many persons without any metal detector, he somehow could reply that “most of those coming to the colony are court staff and I can recognise them.”
Attempting to talk further he parried a reply suggesting talking to his senior officers in this regard.
An insider supported the observation saying a few days ago a team of police officials had visited the colony and talked about the installation of CCTV for electronic surveillance and raising the height of the boundary wall to make the campus more secure after they realised the campus was insecure but so far nothing has been done.
“The boundary wall is so low that passersby can easily see inside the colony and without CCTV it is not possible for the limited number of policemen to keep a vigil on the boundary wall,” the insider, who was once informed about the dog menace in the campus, said.
Contacted senior superintendent of police S.K.Jha for his comment he said a lot of exercises have been done to ensure security. “To my knowledge, there is adequate security arrangement. A sufficient number of policemen has been provided. Apart from this, regular patrolling also takes place, “Jha said.
Asked about frisking equipment, he said: “It will be provided soon.” On CCTV surveillance and work of raising the boundary wall, he said: “The work is expected to be done by the DC.” DC Chhavi Ranjan did not take a call when contacted for his comment.
A locality resident said adjacent to the Judge’s Colony there is a 40 feet high water tower. The district administration should also depute someone at that height who can ensure proper vigilance of the campus of the Judge’s Colony.
