In addition to 16 CCTV cameras, almost 700 police personnel have been deployed to protect the court premises when the Congress president and her son attend the court hearing in the National Herald case.

Security has been beefed up at the Patiala House District Court premises ahead of the scheduled appearance of Congress president Sonia Gandhi, her son Rahul Gandhi and others in connection with the National Herald case.

According to court sources, senior officials of the Special Protection Group, Delhi Police and Intelligence Bureau reviewed the security arrangements at the court premises where 16 more CCTV cameras were installed.

The sources said security personnel have discussed at length the arrangements to be made as both Sonia and Rahul are SPG protectees.

The security officials have also had a meeting with the District Judge of the Patiala House courts.

The police have made elaborate security arrangements considering the fact that the court is a public place where a number of lawyers, litigants come daily.

The sources said that shops inside the premises will remain closed on Saturday and the area near gate number two of the court, where the courtroom in which the hearing is scheduled is located, will be cordoned off with deployment of a multi-layered security cover.

About a dozen officials from the Delhi police are manning Gate No 2 of the Patiala court since Saturday morning.

Barricades have also been erected on both sides of Gate 2 to restrict the entry of the media.

Image: Police officials manning Gate No 2 of the Patiala House court where the courtroom in which the hearing is scheduled. Photograph: Prasanna D Zore/Rediff.com

-- With inputs from Prasanna D Zore/Rediff.com