1 day ago
Petitioner Seeks Supreme Court Accountability for Force Against Women Protesters
A group of students and supporters protested government education policies in Delhi.
During a march toward Parliament on July 20, protesters and security personnel clashed.
Police used measures including lathis and tear gas to disperse the crowd.
One petitioner says some women protesters were treated roughly and that senior officers should be held responsible.
The Delhi Police says the protest was disrupted by violent or criminal elements.
Police also says more than 240 officers were injured.
The Supreme Court is examining both alleged police excesses and violence against police.
The petitioner wants clearer rules to protect women, students, elderly people and other peaceful protesters.
Petitioner Shailendra Mani Tripathi asked the Supreme Court to fix responsibility for alleged force used against women protesters at Jantar Mantar on July 20.
The Delhi Police said the Chalo Sansad protest was hijacked by anti-social elements and history-sheeters, leaving more than 240 police personnel injured.
The petitioner alleged male officers dragged and restrained women, including Gitanjali Angmo, and that an Additional DCP slapped a woman protester.
The Supreme Court has appointed a five-member committee led by former judge Justice R Subhash Reddy to examine alleged police excesses and violence against police.
The petition seeks guidelines on officer accountability, preservation of escalation records, safeguards for vulnerable protesters and greater use of de-escalation measures.
- Who
- Petitioner Shailendra Mani Tripathi, the Delhi Police, protesters led by the Cockroach Janta Party, and the Supreme Court of India are involved.
- What
- The petitioner has urged the Supreme Court to hold security personnel and supervising officers accountable for alleged excessive force against women protesters.
- Where
- At Jantar Mantar and along the route to Parliament in New Delhi.
- When
- The disputed clashes occurred on July 20; the agitation ran from June 20 to July 25, and the Supreme Court proceedings followed afterward.
- Why
- The petitioner says peaceful protesters faced disproportionate force and wants safeguards, accountability rules and independent review of force allegations.
Petitioner's Allegations
Delhi Police's Defense
Use of force
Petitioner's Allegations
The petitioner alleges that male personnel dragged and restrained women protesters, including allegedly dragging Gitanjali Angmo by her hair, and that an Additional DCP slapped a woman.
Delhi Police's Defense
The Delhi Police defended its use of force, saying the protest was hijacked by anti-social elements and history-sheeters and caused a breakdown of law and order.
Cause of disorder
Petitioner's Allegations
The petitioner claims chaotic elements were deliberately introduced into a peaceful procession to create a pretext for lathi charges, tear gas, pellet guns and water cannons.
Delhi Police's Defense
The police contends that violent or disruptive participants caused the disorder and says more than 240 police personnel were injured.
Accountability and safeguards
Petitioner's Allegations
The petitioner wants responsibility fixed on officers who ordered or supervised force, records preserved, less restrictive alternatives considered and allegations independently examined.
Delhi Police's Defense
The police affidavit, as described in the article, emphasizes the law-and-order circumstances and the deployment of security forces during the march.
Key facts
- Protest date
- July 20
- Protest location
- Jantar Mantar and the route to Parliament, Delhi
- Agitation period
- June 20 to July 25
- Police casualty claim
- The Delhi Police said more than 240 police personnel were injured.
- Supreme Court committee
- A five-member high-powered committee headed by former judge Justice R Subhash Reddy is examining allegations of police excesses and violence against police.
- Forces deployed
- The deployment included the Delhi Police, Central Reserve Police Force and Rapid Action Force.
- Requested safeguards
- The petitioner seeks protections for women, students, elderly people and other vulnerable protesters, along with de-escalation and accountability procedures.
Quotes
Shailendra Mani Tripathi
Petitioner who filed the rejoinder affidavit in the Supreme Court case
“This was done to fabricate a pretext for deploying forceful measures such as lathi charges, pellet guns, tear gas and water cannons, with the sole objective of crushing the peaceful demonstration against the government's flawed education policies.”
telegraphindia.com
“The police deliberately infiltrated chaotic elements into the peaceful procession individuals such as Swatantra Bhardwaj and others, armed with sticks and clubs, with the intent to incite violence to engineer unrest.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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