Article 2: Caught on camera
Why in news: The Supreme Court agreed to hear petitions alleging police excesses during student protests in Delhi after videos surfaced showing alleged excessive force, assaults, and possible protocol violations by police personnel.
Key Details
- Supreme Court Intervention: The Supreme Court agreed to hear petitions alleging police excesses after initially declining on technical grounds, signalling judicial scrutiny of the incident.
- Allegations of Excessive Force: Videos allegedly show police personnel and unidentified individuals using disproportionate force, including pellet injuries, physical assaults, and misconduct against peaceful protesters.
- Role of Unidentified Persons: Social media videos depict helmeted individuals, allegedly not in police uniform, assaulting protesters and damaging property, raising concerns over vigilante involvement.
- Pattern of Similar Incidents: The editorial cites previous incidents, including the 2019 Jamia Millia Islamia protests and the 2020 JNU violence, alleging inadequate accountability for police actions.
- Need for Accountability: Calls for an independent investigation into the proportionality and legality of police action, with special attention to allegations of sexual assault and violence against women and children.
Alleged Excessive Use of Force
- The Delhi Police, along with unidentified individuals, allegedly used excessive force against student protesters, violating established crowd-control protocols.
- Videos circulating online show police personnel and others using violence that appeared intended to intimidateand harm rather than peacefully disperse the crowd.
- Several protesters reportedly sustained pellet injuries, but the authorities have not yet clarified how these injuries occurred.
- Incidents captured on video include a senior police officer allegedly slapping a female protester and another uniformed individual allegedly harassing a woman from behind.
- Such actions have raised serious concerns over police conduct, human rights, and the protection of citizens' right to peaceful protest.
Allegations of Misconduct and Vigilante Violence
- Video footage also shows helmeted individuals, not in police uniform, allegedly attacking protesters.
- Some of these individuals were seen carrying sticks fitted with nails and damaging vehicles and other property.
- Another video reportedly shows a woman protester being surrounded and allegedly subjected to sexual harassment, while others looked on.
- Questions have been raised about whether vigilantes infiltrated the protests and acted alongside or independently of law enforcement.
- There are increasing demands to identify, investigate, and hold accountable all those responsible.
Pattern of Police Crackdowns
- The incident is viewed by many as part of a broader pattern of police crackdowns on student protests in Delhi.
- In 2020, violence on the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus occurred while police allegedly failed to intervene effectively.
- In 2019, the Delhi Police entered the Jamia Millia Islamia library during protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and allegedly assaulted students.
- The recent crackdown on protests against examination paper leaks is seen as another instance of heavy-handed policing.
- Repeated allegations of excessive force have raised concerns about accountability and public confidence in law enforcement.
Concerns Over Proportionality of Force
- The protests reportedly included students, teenagers, women, families, and children.
- There is little evidence in the public domain suggesting large-scale violence by protesters that would justify such a high level of police force.
- The police response has therefore raised questions about whether it was necessary, authorised, and proportionate.
- The alleged use of force against women and children has intensified concerns over human rights and constitutional freedoms.
- The incident has reignited debate on balancing public order with the constitutional right to peaceful assembly.
Supreme Court Intervention and Demand for Accountability
- After an initial reluctance, the Supreme Court of India agreed to hear petitions alleging police excesses on 27 July.
- The Chief Justice of India (CJI) clarified that the earlier refusal was based on technical grounds, not unwillingness to hear the matter.
- The Court is now examining petitions documenting the nature and extent of the alleged police action.
- A thorough investigation has been sought to determine who was involved and whether the use of force was authorised and proportionate.
- There are specific demands for strict action in cases involving sexual assault, violence against women and children, with all those found guilty to be punished in accordance with the law.
Conclusion
The allegations underscore the importance of balancing public order with the constitutional rights to peaceful assembly and free expression. A transparent, impartial investigation is essential to establish accountability, uphold the rule of law, and restore public confidence in law enforcement. Ensuring that any misuse of authority is addressed strengthens democratic institutions and protects citizens' fundamental rights.