Loaded gun inside Hamirpur Court: Himachal High Court takes Suo Motu cognisance of security lapse
Loaded gun inside Hamirpur Court: Himachal High Court takes Suo Motu cognisance of security lapse
Shimla, June 15,
Taking serious note of a security breach at the Judicial Court Complex in Hamirpur, the Himachal Pradesh High Court has initiated a suo motu Public Interest Litigation and sought detailed reports from district judiciary and police authorities across the state regarding security arrangements in court complexes and at the residences of judicial officers.
The matter came up before a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice G.S. Sandhawalia and Justice Bipin C. Negi on June 4 in Court on its Own Motion vs State of Himachal Pradesh and Others (CWPIL No. 59 of 2026).
According to the order, the PIL was registered following a report received from the District and Sessions Judge, Hamirpur, regarding an incident that occurred on May 25, 2026.
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The Bench recorded that, “one person entered the Court premises along with a loaded firearm and unlocked the loaded gun and threatened to kill Advocates and Judges.“
The order further notes that the individual was ultimately “overpowered and apprehended by one Deputy Superintendent of Police and other Police Officials, who had come there to attend the Court proceedings.“
Expressing concern over the security arrangements at the Hamirpur court complex, the High Court observed that there are eight courts functioning in the premises, yet “only one lady police official and one Home Guard were deputed for security purpose despite the standing instructions of this Court.“
The Bench also referred to the minutes of a meeting of the District Court Management System held on April 29, 2026, noting that despite assurances, no effective steps had been taken by police authorities to deploy adequate personnel in the judicial complex.
The High Court has directed all District and Sessions Judges and concerned Superintendents of Police in Himachal Pradesh to submit reports detailing security arrangements in judicial complexes. The reports will also indicate whether security personnel have been posted at the residences of District and Sessions Judges handling sensitive cases, including matters where death sentences may be awarded.
The State Government has additionally been asked to file a status report on compliance with the Supreme Court’s judgment in Pradyuman Bisht vs Union of India, particularly regarding implementation of directions for establishing permanent court security infrastructure.
The Bench further sought an affidavit on security arrangements provided to High Court judges. The order records that “apparently only two PSOs, with each High Court Judge have been provided, who are not on duty at night with them.“
The Court has directed the Director General of Police, Himachal Pradesh, to file a consolidated affidavit after obtaining reports from all Superintendents of Police in the state.
The matter is listed for further hearing on July 23, 2026.
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