Security at the special courts set up to hear Best Bakery and Bilkis Bano cases retrial has been stepped up to avoid any untoward incident, particularly in the wake of volatile situation in view of the forthcoming assembly polls.

Both cases pertain to incidents that occurred during post-Godhra riots and are being keenly watched by people across the country, police sources said in Mumbai on Friday.

"These two cases are being watched by the nation and any untoward incident happening there lead to reactions elsewhere," Additional Commissioner of Police (Special Branch) Bipin Bihari told PTI.

As such, the special court hearing the Best Bakery trial is likely to be moved from congested Sewri in central Mumbai to Ballard Pier area of south Mumbai, which has prominent security presence due to existence of several installations of national security.

The Bilkis Bano case too is also being heard in south Mumbai. Police security provided to these two courts has been beefed up, the police official further said.
    
However, he clarified that there was no intelligence input of any likelihood of sabotage by anti-national elements, which prompted the stepped up security measures.

Special police security has been provided to these courts and men from the intelligence will also keep a close watch on the happenings, police sources said.