DTC conductor gets Delhi High Court relief 30 years after overcharging accusation, penalty

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday rejected a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking a probe into the lathi charge used during protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) in July, according to the petitioner Nitin Naresh. The court questioned the merit of filing the petition, asking if one would file a case for every news story they read.

Naresh argued that contradictory reports in the media, with some alleging the use of baton/lathi charge and removal of protesters, contrast with the Delhi Police's denial of any violence or detention. He claimed that he had made a representation to the Delhi Police and the Lieutenant Governor's office on July 20 seeking official verification of the facts, which had not been addressed.

The court dismissed the PIL, stating there was no public interest involved. On August 18, the Supreme Court had formed a High-Powered Enquiry Committee (HPEC) to investigate allegations of police misconduct during the student protest at Jantar Mantar, including the use of pellet guns, targeted violence against female protesters, alleged excessive use of force, and destruction of property.