"Very Distressing To See...": Top Court Judge Slams Police Crackdown At Jantar Mantar

Supreme Court judge Justice Ujjal Bhuyan has criticized police officers for allegedly assaulting protesting students during the NEET agitation at Jantar Mantar, suggesting that the professionalism expected of officials is waning. Speaking at the launch of former secretary (security) Yashovardhan Azad's book, "Policing the Republic," Justice Bhuyan emphasized that police must maintain their credibility, as people turn to them for help when they feel wronged.

The judge expressed distress over witnessing young officers of the Indian Police Service personally assaulting protesters and demonstrators, which he deemed highly distressing.

Bhuyan stressed that the detachment of officials from the law is a matter of grave concern, as it breeds contempt for the law and encourages lawlessness. He reiterated that if government functionaries engage in unlawful behavior, it will erode public trust and lead to lawlessness. Bhuyan posed the question of whether a citizen automatically forfeits their fundamental rights when arrested by a policeman.

The Supreme Court has formed a high-level panel, headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice R Subhash Reddy, to investigate complaints of excessive force used by Delhi Police during the July 20 student protests at Jantar Mantar and the subsequent march towards Parliament. The panel will examine allegations of the use of lathis, tear gas, pellet guns, electronic batons, targeted harassment, and molestation of women protesters, using evidence such as CCTV footage and protest videos.