Authorities have beefed up security of the Chief Justice and other judges of the Supreme Court following intelligence reports about possible security problems in the coming days during trials and appeal hearings of some top war crime suspects. The arrangements include frisking of cars and people entering the court premises and courtrooms before the hearings start on the appeals of three top war crimes accused, already sentenced to death or life terms by
the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT).
The other steps taken include installation of CCTVs, three more archways and strict vigil by mobile patrolling teams and policemen in civvies.
Following a directive from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the security of all judges, including the Chief Justice and judges of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court (SC), have been tightened in their offices and residences.
A number of policemen has been deployed at the judges’ residences and in and around the Supreme Court, sources in the home ministry said.
The measures have been taken following intelligence reports sent to the home ministry recently through the PMO that vested quarters are likely to commit subversive activities to foil the trial of the war criminals, the sources added.
The reports also advised the home ministry to immediately beef up security of all judges, including the Chief Justice, by deploying members of law-enforcing agencies at their residences and on their office premises.
Earlier, the home ministry issued an order asking the inspector general of police (IGP) and the police commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) to tighten security at the judges’ quarters and on the court premises immediately.
The order says, “The security of judges has to be beefed up before the hearings on appeals against International Crimes Tribunals (ICT) verdicts against those who had committed crimes against humanity during the Liberation War in 1971.”
-With The Independent input
