Supreme Court panel to examine Delhi Police action during July 20 protests

Justice Ujjal Bhuyan called police officers assaulting protesters “very, very distressing to observe” as a Supreme Court panel prepares to examine action taken during the July 20 student protests at Jantar Mantar and a march towards Parliament.

The panel, headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice R Subhash Reddy, will investigate allegations of excessive force by Delhi Police. Its review will cover complaints involving lathi charges, tear gas, pellet guns, electronic batons, and alleged targeted harassment or molestation of women protesters, along with CCTV and video footage of the clashes.

Speaking at the launch of retired IPS officer Yashovardhan Azad’s book *Policing the Republic*, Justice Bhuyan said police must retain public credibility. “The detachment expected of police officers somehow seems to be disappearing,” he said, calling it a matter of grave concern.

He said effective policing did not require excessive force or the infringement of human rights. The panel’s findings will determine how the complaints arising from the Delhi protests are assessed.