Computer monitor stolen from court

Theft occurred around 5.15 pm in crowded Civil Court HallA computer monitor was stolen from the busy Civil Court Hall yesterday. The incident has underlined afresh the lack of security in Bangalore courts.The theft becomes particularly serious in the light of recent terror warnings issued by the Intelligence Bureau to the city police and the directive issued by the Home Department to step up security of courts in the state following a blast in a Hubli Court last year. According to head constable Anand C, who was deputed at the City Civil Judge (senior division) Court Hall, the theft took place around 5. 15 pm when he was away on official business to an office nearby. Following a blast in a Hubli court last year, the Home Department had recommended that security of structures like the City Civil Court (pictured) in Bangalore be stepped up.CPU left behindIn his complaint filed with the Ulsoor gate police, Anand said the monitor worth Rs 7,000 was stolen immediately after a court sitting concluded.u00a0He reportedly called Shyamala, the court typist, who told him that she had no clue who had taken the monitor. Anand informed the cashier, who in turn brought the matter to the notice of the chief judicial magistrate. The magistrate directed Anand to file a case. The CPU unit attached to the computer was found intact. It is shocking to know that a monitor has been stolen from the court hall while the staff was still around. This shows how inadequately guarded the court premises are, said an advocate. The City Civil Court complex is the busiest. Thousands of people, including advocates, the general public and police visit the court everyday. The incident has caused much embarrassment to the security personnel who refused to comment on the incident. The investigating officer in the case, an inspector from the Ulsoor Gate police station, claimed that he knew nothing about the theft. I don't remember any such complaint, he said.