Govt served legal notice to form 'Judicial Security Force' for courts

A legal notice has been served on the government, demanding the formation of a special security force named the "Judicial Security Force" to ensure the safety of the Supreme Court and lower courts.

Supreme Court lawyer Md Mahmudul Hasan issued the notice today (4 February) to the secretaries of the law, justice, and parliamentary affairs ministry and the home ministry, as well as the registrar general of the country's apex court.

The notice urges the government to take necessary steps to form the force within 15 days of receiving it. Failure to do so will result in a writ petition being filed with the High Court.

It states, "Judicial security currently relies on the police, but they have failed to ensure its protection. In October 2023, miscreants attacked the residence of the chief justice and the entrance of the Judges' Complex. Moreover, during July-August 2024, the Supreme Court and lower courts remained completely unprotected for several days.

"At that time, the chief justice's residence was looted, and other Supreme Court judges faced extreme insecurity, fearing for their lives. Judges and magistrates in lower courts also experienced severe threats due to the absence of proper security."

The notice highlights that officials of the executive branch have their own Special Security Force (SSF) for protection. "Therefore, the judiciary has a legitimate expectation that the government will form a 'Judicial Security Force' to safeguard the judiciary," it states.

It further emphasises that the Judicial Security Force must operate under the chief justice and be responsible for securing the Supreme Court, subordinate courts, and the residences of Supreme Court judges, lower court judges, and magistrates.