RAWALPINDI: A security audit of the anti-terrorism court (ATC) premises and the judicial complex housing district courts in Rawalpindi has detected discrepancies, including lack of security gadgets, improper security checking at the entrance and backup of the CCTV cameras.

The auditing team from the Discipline and Inspection Branch of the police was constituted by the inspector general of the police (IGP).

The special team was assigned the task to check whether the standard operating procedure (SOP) for security of the premises of the ATC and the district courts, judicial guards, Bakshikhana and security of under-trial prisoners was being followed or not.

Security audit shows police deployed for security of judicial complex lack equipment, weapons according to SOP

The team members were also directed to check whether the police personnel deployed for the security of courts and transportation of the under-trial prisoners were wearing bulletproof jackets and helmets.

The team in its report submitted to the IGP office observed serious flaws and shortcomings in the security and suggested to rectify the audit objections.

The inspection team observed that the police personnel deployed for the security of the buildings were not having equipment and weapons according to the SOP. They also do not use bulletproof jackets or helmets. And the condition of the bulletproof jackets and helmets was found unsatisfactory.

In addition, physical checking of the personnel at the entry gates was not being carried out properly and specific stickers were not provided to lawyers for their motorcycles and other vehicles. Backup recording of CCTV cameras for 15 days was also not being saved.

And CCTV cameras were not being supervised by an operator in the control room. There was no walk-through gate and the strength of police was not sufficient according to the number of prisoners brought from the jail to the Bakshikhana for trial.

The absence of Quick Response Force (QRF) was the most serious security lapse observed by the team on the court premises. The deployed force was not found vigilant, it added. There was no check on accused housing in Bakshikhana as advocates and their relatives were frequently meeting them.

At the anti-terrorism court (ATC), police personnel deployed for security were not utilising bulletproof jackets and helmets. They were also not properly checking the personnel at the entry gate.

The security measures at the judicial complex were not similar to the security lapses observed at the ATC as the condition of security gadgets and weapons was not satisfactory. The strength of the police personnel was not sufficient according to the number of prisoners brought to the courts.

According to sources, following the security loopholes observed by the team, the IGP directed the regional police officer (RPO) to implement the security audit reports and rectify the objections.

In addition, the RPO was directed to remove security lapses on the premises of ATC, old district courts and judicial complex.

The IGP directed the RPO to ensure availability and working of security gadgets and equipment identified in the report and get them installed through the deputy commissioner and submit a compliance report.

Serious incidents of security lapse, including the killing of an under-trial murder suspect, in the judicial complex took place in March 2018.

Published in Dawn, September 30th, 2019