The police needs a new protocol during agitations, the Supreme Court underlined on Tuesday, pointing out that the cops did not follow earlier laid down rules during the Cockroach Janta Party-led student protests.
“There has to be completely independent probe. Whoever has committed excess, law will take its course. Probe is meaningless if no responsibility is fixed,” the top court said.
Demonstrations in the national capital turned violent on July 20 when a crowd, spearheaded by the CJP, attempted to march towards Parliament from the Jantar Mantar protest site. Police fired tear gas and used batons to disperse the protest, triggering clashes and a wave of detentions.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre and the Delhi government, said the Centre is not taking the matter lightly if force was used against students.
Action should be taken in such a case, Mehta submitted, pointing out that 250 police personnel were also injured.
A proper investigation must be conducted to bring out the truth, he said, adding “we cannot also demotivate our forces”.
“I do not believe the students engaged in violence; anti-social elements must have infiltrated the group. We will present data regarding these anti-social elements. These were individuals involved in cases of murder, rape, and Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS) violations,” Mehta said.
The Chief Justice also pointed out the possibility of miscreants infiltrating the student groups.
“What was done could not have been done necessarily by students. When such students were protesting peacefully, there are also chances of miscreants getting in,” the Chief Justice said.
