Supreme Court to Address Violence Against Delhi Police During Protest March
Supreme Court Takes Up Case of Police Violence
The violent incidents involving police officers during the "Chalo Parliament" march in Delhi have escalated to the Supreme Court. Families of four Delhi police personnel, who sustained serious injuries while on duty, have filed a petition seeking accountability for those who attacked the police force. They are also urging the court to issue comprehensive guidelines to ensure the safety of police officers while maintaining law and order.
Petition Filed by Injured Officers' Families
The petition has been submitted by the son of ACP Kailash Singh Bisht, the daughter of Sub-Inspector Sandeep Kumar, the wife of Constable Dheeraj, and the son of ASI Hameender Rathi. The petitioners argue that the court should consider not only the perspective of the protesters but also the suffering of the police officers and their families, who risked their lives to uphold law and order.
Details of the Incident
According to the petition, approximately 3,000 police personnel were deployed to manage a crowd of 20,000 to 30,000 people between July 20 and July 25 at Jantar Mantar and other areas in New Delhi. During this period, the police were attacked with glass bottles, stones, and tiles ripped from the pavement. It is alleged that several tiles were sharpened to inflict serious injuries on the officers, characterizing the assault as a planned and dangerous attack on the security forces.
Injuries Sustained by Officers
The petition details that Sub-Inspector Sandeep Kumar was brutally beaten with sticks and stones, resulting in shoe marks on his body and multiple severe head injuries that required immediate stitches. ACP Kailash Singh Bisht suffered a deep, five-centimeter-long wound on his head, necessitating urgent medical attention at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital. ASI Hameender Rathi sustained two fractured facial bones and a hairline fracture near his hip, while Constable Dheeraj incurred serious head injuries and other bodily harm.
Call for Accountability and Protection
The petition requests the Supreme Court to identify those responsible for the attacks on police and ensure strict action against them. It also seeks a declaration that police officers on duty are entitled to the same rights to safety and life under Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution. The petition explicitly states that no one has a fundamental right to engage in violence, disregard lawful orders, or assault uniformed personnel.
Upcoming Hearing and Support for Injured Officers
This case will be heard alongside petitions questioning the alleged police brutality during the protests. Thus, both sides—the protesters and the injured police officers—will present their arguments before the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, retired officers and staff of the Delhi Police have rallied in support of the injured personnel. The Delhi Police Federation has requested permission for a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar on July 31, aiming to show solidarity with the injured officers, boost their morale, and demand strict legal action against those involved in violence and vandalism.
Clarification on the Nature of the Protest
The federation clarified that their protest is not against the peacefully protesting students but against those who engaged in stone-pelting, violence, vandalism, and attacks on police. They assured that the proposed protest would be entirely peaceful and compliant with all legal and administrative directives.
Importance of Upholding Law and Order
While peaceful protest is a fundamental right in a democracy, violence, stone-pelting, and attacks on uniformed security forces undermine any democratic system. If law enforcement officers feel unsafe, the entire law and order framework is jeopardized. Therefore, ensuring fair and stringent action against the perpetrators, along with prioritizing the safety, respect, and morale of police personnel on duty, is not only an administrative necessity but also a fundamental requirement for democratic governance.