Under threat from lawyers, CJ of Madras High Court seeks CISF protection

In what is perhaps an  unprecedented instance, the sitting Chief Justice of Madras High Court felt so insecure and annoyed at the protest by some lawyers and civilians inside the court premises, that he has suo motu ordered that the state government provide Central Industrial Security Force protection to the court premises.

Trouble stared on Monday morning when some lawyers and students gained entry into the court hall and started protesting, demanding that Tamil be allowed as an official language in the High Court. The police were called in, but they were reportedly reluctant to take action, according to media reports. This perhaps goes to the historic enmity between the police and lawyers in Tamil Nadu, which has led to violence in the past.

Stating that they the courts cannot be kept unprotected anymore, Chief Justice SK Kaul and Justice TS Sivagnanam ordered that the state call in the CISF to take charge of the security of the court campus.

The police have also alleged that lawyers have beaten up police officers at least 10 times in the past 3 years.

ToI also reports that members of the bar, while protesting, were casually munching snacks and chatting among themselves.