Scores of lawyers on Tuesday shouted slogans against Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan for the new "high security zone" introduced in the Supreme Court.

"CJI go back, CJI go back", "we are lawyers, we can't be treated like this," the lawyers screamed when the CJI came to inaugurate the new security system under which entry to the Supreme Court premises from Monday would be allowed by use of special "proximity card."

Besides, the entire court complex has been kept under 24-hour surveillance through CCTV in the backdrop of reports of possible threat from terror elements.

The laywers also sat on a dharna near the gate for over an hour to register their protest but dispersed after the CJI left the place.

Security personnel, however, kept the lawyers at bay and the function was held smoothly.

Advocates, clerks besides, staff and journalists can now gain entry into the Supreme Court premises only if they swipe the photo proximity cards or digital photo identity cards. The latter is issued to visitors, clients and visiting officials.

The grievance of the agitating lawyers is that the proximity cards have been issued only to the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) members whereas those advocates who have their membership issued by the respective State Bar Councils will have to obtain a normal photo entry passes at special counters set up for the purpose.

Though a delegation led by the SCBA president M N Krishnamani and vice president Priya Hingorani took up the issue with the CJI, the latter firmly ruled out relaxation of the rules.

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