new delhi : Despite an anonymous call to the police on Thursday morning, threatening a terror strike at the Tis Hazari district court complex, the security at the other court complexes was not beefed up.

The security at the Patiala House court complex reeked of faulty metal detectors. Also, there was not enough security at the various exit points.People were seen entering the complex without being checked.

"Security has always been an issue with Patiala House. We have got all the high profile cases and still no measures are taken to ensure our safety. It's only after terror threats that security is tightened, otherwise nobody is bothered,'' said a lawyer.

"There is also no proper evacuation plan. We don't even have mock drills, in case there is a fire accident,'' he added.

Recently, Dwarka Court complex tightened its security. CCTV cameras were installed in the complex at strategic points including the room of the court master. As many as 180 CCTVs were installed to keep a close eye on the activities of the court staff and other people in a bid to avert any mishap. A CCTV control room has also been set up in the complex making it the most hi-tech court complex with latest security gadgets.

The Supreme Court and the Delhi High Court have elaborate security rings. Butlower courts haven't received that kind of attention. The SC has a special police wing looking after security. CCTV consoles and access control systems will be installed soon. At Delhi HC an elaborate system is in place to keep a check on who goes in and from which entry point.

At other courts, however, it is only the courtrooms, where highly-sensitive cases or those related to terrorists are tried, which have a semblance of security -- usually no more than a door-frame metal detector and some guards. Some judges perceived to be facing threats also get special protection. District and sessions judge Mamta Sehgal was not available to comment on the security measures at the courts.

smriti.singh@timesgroup.com