Delhi, 22 July (H.S.): The Delhi High Court on Wednesday directed the Delhi Police to preserve CCTV footage and all other available video recordings related to the events that took place during the Parliament March on July 20. The direction came while hearing a petition alleging police excesses during the march. The Court also issued notices to the Central Government and the Delhi Police in the matter.

A Bench headed by Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya instructed the Delhi Police to ensure that all CCTV and other video footage pertaining to the incident is preserved. The next hearing in the matter has been scheduled for September 11.

During the hearing, senior advocate N. Hariharan, appearing for one of the petitioners, alleged that students were subjected to severe police excesses. He submitted that the students had been staging a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar and were exercising their constitutionally guaranteed right to demonstrate. He contended that the police responded with brutality against the protesters.

Hariharan further argued that the Delhi Police possessed the capability to regulate and manage the protest in a lawful manner but instead resorted to excessive and violent methods.

Senior advocate Vikas Singh, also appearing during the proceedings, submitted that there was no allegation anywhere that the protesters had resorted to violence. He told the Court that multiple videos purportedly depict instances of police brutality. Singh further alleged that the batons used to beat students had nails embedded in them and claimed that stones and electric current were also used against the protesters. He questioned whether such methods could be justified while dealing with a peaceful demonstration.

The protest at Jantar Mantar had been underway since June 20, with the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over allegations related to a paper leak. Social activist Sonam Wangchuk began an indefinite hunger strike at the protest site on June 28. After nearly 20 days of fasting, he was shifted from Jantar Mantar to Safdarjung Hospital.

The protesters organised the Parliament March on July 20, during which clashes broke out between demonstrators and the Delhi Police at several locations across the national capital.

The petition alleges that the police committed excesses against protesters at multiple locations during the march, including baton-charging students and using tear gas to disperse the crowd. FIRs in connection with the incidents have been registered at Connaught Place Police Station, Parliament Street Police Station, and several other police stations.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar