Now Reading: Delhi Police defends force used at CJP protest, cites infiltration
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Delhi Police defends force used at CJP protest, cites infiltration
Delhi Police has told the Supreme Court that the July 20 'Chalo Sansad' march by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) was unlawful and that the force used was proportionate. In an affidavit filed in response to petitions alleging police excesses, the police said over 30,000 protesters gathered across a three-kilometre stretch, and that 2,873 people with crime records, including 47 'history-sheeters', were present. The police said 240 personnel were injured and force was used only after barricades were breached and warnings ignored.
The police denied using pellet guns, a claim rejected by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju. However, India Today reported that a protester suffered 20 pellet injuries and another sustained a serious eye injury. The police said they are willing to have their actions examined by a court-appointed committee. The CJP had been protesting at Jantar Mantar for 36 days over the NEET paper leak, calling off the agitation on July 25 after talks with the government and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The Delhi Police affidavit frames the protest as a law-and-order crisis infiltrated by criminals, while the petitions and media reports highlight injuries from pellet guns. The police offer of a court-appointed panel is a significant concession but does not concede excessive force. The police data on criminal antecedents of attendees may be challenged for relevance, given the CJI's earlier clarification limiting it to grave offences. Watch for the Supreme Court's next hearing on whether to appoint a panel and how it will balance police accountability with the right to peaceful protest.
Sources (3): indiatvnews.com, indiatoday.in, rediff.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 3 sources linked above. Methodology and corrections.
Updated: this story now draws on 3 sources.
