In a major move aimed at strengthening the security framework of the state’s judiciary, the Maharashtra cabinet approved the appointment of 8,282 new security personnel for guarding court premises and judges’ residences across the state. The proposal, initiated by the Home Department, aims at addressing the long-standing concern of inadequate protection given to judicial officers and court infrastructure. A budget of approximately \u20b9443 crore has been sanctioned to cover the salaries and operational costs of the new personnel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This development comes after a direction from the Aurangabad bench of the Bombay High Court, which had taken suo motu cognizance of the lack of security arrangements for the judiciary and had sought a comprehensive plan from the government. The court had made it clear that safety to the judges and the judicial premises is a pre-condition to ensure that the justice system was free from intimidation and worked with independence and integrity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Under the proposal cleared by the cabinet, the additional manpower will be deployed in two major phases. While 8,282 security guards will be posted at vital installations across Maharashtra in the first phase, advanced security infrastructure like CCTV cameras, access control systems, alarm networks, and surveillance monitoring units will be installed in the second phase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of the total, 4,742 personnel will be deputed in court complexes, including the Bombay High Court in Mumbai and its benches in Nagpur, Aurangabad, and Goa, and at district and subordinate courts throughout the state. As many as 3,540 personnel will be deployed round the clock at the residences of judges and judicial officers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Officials said the recruitment, training and deployment would be done by the Maharashtra State Security Corporation (MSSC). The MSSC is already engaged in managing security operations for various government departments and has been instructed to focus on trained and disciplined personnel to carry out this specialized judicial protection job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The move is expected to be taken after receiving reports of increasing threats and security incidents against judicial officers throughout the country. Maharashtra has not seen any major attacks in recent years, but during the period, various incidents of intimidation and unauthorized access were reported within the court premises. These incidents raised serious questions about the adequacy of existing security systems, particularly in district and taluka courts where infrastructure is often limited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A senior Home Department official said that the government had undertaken a thorough audit of 2,090 court complexes and judges\u2019 residences before finalizing the plan. \u201cThe findings were concerning \u2014 many courts lacked sufficient guards, CCTV surveillance, and access control systems. The cabinet\u2019s approval will bridge these gaps and create a uniform security framework across the state,\u201d the official said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This amounts to a total expenditure of \u20b9443 crore, including both salaries and training expenses. The recruitment process would start in phases, with priority given to high-density and high-risk regions such as Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, and Thane. The government has also clarified that the plan will be reviewed annually to assess the effect and budget sustainability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Legal experts have hailed the move as a \u201cmuch-needed, long-overdue step\u201d towards protecting the judiciary. \u201cJudges are necessary for dispensing justice without fear or pressure from outside. Protection given to the judges sends a clear message that this government does not want to play with the dignity and security of the judiciary,\u201d said senior advocate Ujjwal Nikam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are, however, some observers who raise issues regarding challenges in implementation. Recruitment and training for thousands of security personnel need coordination between the MSSC, Home Department, and the judiciary. Any delays either in training or deployment will weaken the effectiveness of this initiative. Moreover, maintaining standards consistently between urban and rural courts will require close monitoring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They also underlined the policy of matching manpower with technology. \u201cModern court security is not about guards but about smart systems; facial recognition, the tracking of visitors, and quick response protocols are part of it,\u201d elaborated a senior police officer involved in the project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The new security framework is expected to be rolled out over the next 12 to 18 months. Once fully implemented, Maharashtra will become one of the few Indian states with a state-funded judicial security network. In the long run, the move is expected to protect judicial personnel and improve the overall atmosphere of trust and safety in the courts. The presence of well-trained security personnel is likely to reduce anxiety among litigants, advocates, and staff, thereby improving access to justice. By prioritizing judicial safety, Maharashtra’s government is signaling a broader commitment to strengthening institutions that uphold the rule of law. If implemented effectively, this initiative could thus serve as a model for other states, which have been entrusted with delivering<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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