PANJIM: Goa Police, on Friday, deposited a fine amount of Rs 1 lakh along with a reply affidavit in the Supreme Court which is hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on safety and security of judges and court complexes across India.
On August 17, the top court had imposed costs of Rs 1 lakh, to be deposited in the Supreme Court Bar Association Advocates’ Welfare Fund, on several States, including Goa, for their failure to file affidavits in the case.
A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India N V Ramana allowed these States to file their affidavits in 10 days subject to payment of Rs 1 lakh each. Reportedly, only three States Manipur, Jharkhand and Gujarat had filed their responses within the time period.
“Goa Police has submitted a Demand Draft of Rs 1 lakh along with the reply affidavit into safety measures adopted in the court complexes and as well as to judges,” sources in Delhi told Herald.
On August 17, when the matter had come up for hearing, legal counsel representing Goa Police sought time to submit its reply. It justified the delay citing busy schedule owing to the commencement of the functioning of new High Court premises at Porvorim. Other States had also given reasons for the delay but the plea was not accepted as the SC imposed penalty on all the defaulting States.
On Friday, Goa Police’s reply affidavit mentioned compliance of all security measures. “Adequate police protection is provided at court complexes including Judges. The High Court judges are covered under Y security, which is also complied with,” sources said.
On the last occasion, the Bench had directed the suo motu case regarding the killing of Additional District Judge, Jharkhand to be tagged along with another writ petition which was filed before the SC in 2019 pertaining to security of judicial officers.
