Bhubaneswar, Jan. 10: The Bhubaneswar Bar Association has sought closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras at the Khurda district court complex here.
The lawyers have sought Orissa High Court's intervention and more security on the premises. Security has emerged as a concern at the court complex near Kalpana Square where minor scuffles between the accused parties, who are produced in court for hearing, has become common. "Although such minor instances are common, one never knows when such scuffles would become major fights," said Manoranjan Sahu, a lawyer. He said installation of CCTV cameras at the court complex would help in keeping track of criminals.
Sahu said the lawyers had been seeking installation of CCTV cameras at the court complex, along with more police personnel. "Often relatives of accused get violent and create disturbance at the complex," he said.
Another lawyer, Sarat Mohanty, said it was common for the accused persons' family members to threaten lawyers. "In such cases, the CCTV footage can provide credible evidence against such people," he said.
Not only security, but illegal parking of vehicles and vehicle theft have also emerged as challenges at the court complex. BJB Nagar resident Manoranjan Panigrahi had gone to the court on December 24, 2015 for getting land conversion details registered. He said his motorcycle had been stolen from the complex. "I had been at the complex for 20 minutes and got my two-wheeler stolen," Panigrahi said. He said his motorcycle was found on April 4 last year. "But the fact that two-wheeler thieves operate with impunity at the complex is a matter of concern," he said.
Bhubaneswar Bar Association president Ashok Kumar Patra said the association would pursue the matter once again with police to enhance security at the complex.
Bhubaneswar deputy superintendent of police Satyabrat Bhoi said as many as seven police personnel were posted at the court complex. He said that the security measures at the court complex would be analysed and steps would be taken accordingly.
