The Supreme Court hearing a batch of petitions seeking a probe into the July 20 incident, maintained that the right to peaceful protest is absolutely guaranteed under the Constitution.
Underlining that there can’t be lathi charge just because there is an agitation it said , “the right to peaceful, lawful protest absolutely guaranteed under the Constitution. So long as it is peaceful agitation, merely because there is agitation, there can’t be lathicharge.”
The apex court has also agreed to hear separately alleging police personnel were beaten up during protests on the NEET paper leak.
Additionally, “police excesses must be inquired into. The government must explain why adequate gears were not provided to police who were injured in protests,” the top court said, adding it will consider pan-India uniform guidelines on the issue.
The pleas seek an independent investigation into the incidents, preservation of CCTV footage, body-camera recordings and other electronic evidence, besides compensation for protesters found to have suffered injuries.
Meanwhile, a team from paramilitary force is probing the alleged use of pellet guns on young protesters during the massive agitation in the capital. Pellet guns and shock batons are part of the gear of the RAF, the riot-control wing of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
Lathicharge has been the latest reform amongst the others like tear gas, water cannons and gun shots police have been using on protestors. Earlier on July 20th, the riot police baton charged the crowd as it tried to march to Parliament. Recently, a similar incident was reported in Bihar as videos circulated online showed cops beating and firing students who protested against NEET paper leak in Siwan district of Bihar.