'Probe is meaningless if responsibility isn't fixed': Supreme Court slams Delhi Police over CJP protest crackdown

The top court observed that the police did not follow established procedures during the CJP's march to Parliament, with several videos purportedly showing baton charges on protesters, including women.

'Probe is meaningless if no responsibility is fixed'

Hearing a batch of petitions alleging police excesses during the protests, the court underscored the need for an independent investigation.

"There has to be a completely independent probe. Whoever has committed excess, law will take its course. Probe is meaningless if no responsibility is fixed," the court said, according to NDTV.

'Those who took law into their hands must be punished'

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, who headed the bench, said those responsible for any excesses must be held accountable.

"Whosoever committed excesses, took law in their hands should be taken to task," the Chief Justice said, as quoted by NDTV.

'This was a completely peaceful protest'

The Chief Justice also observed that the demonstration was peaceful and took place within the constitutional framework.

"We do not think there is a need for elaborate arguments. This was a completely peaceful protest by students, in which certain demands were raised. It took place within the constitutional framework," he said.

Referring to the possibility of outsiders joining demonstrations, he added: "They had their own perspective; they want to point out that in such peaceful protests, there are always uninvited guests. They arrive with an agenda, and very soon, they become co-hosts."

'Can't lathicharge people just because they are protesting'

The Supreme Court on Monday strongly rebuked the Delhi Police over its crackdown on protesters, reaffirming that the right to peaceful protest is a fundamental constitutional guarantee.

In sharp remarks, the apex court observed that a police lathicharge cannot be justified merely because people are protesting.

The observations came while the court was hearing a batch of petitions seeking an independent probe into the police action during the CJP-led Parliament march on July 20.

As quoted by NDTV, the bench said: "The right to peaceful, lawful protest is absolutely guaranteed under the Constitution. So long as it is a peaceful agitation, merely because there is agitation, there can't be lathicharge."

The Supreme Court also agreed to hear a separate petition alleging that some police personnel were assaulted by sections of the protesters during the demonstration.

Delhi Police has maintained that more than 100 personnel were injured in the violence and clashes that erupted during the protest in the national capital.

Parliament March Triggers Violence

Dramatic scenes unfolded during the Parliament march on the streets of Delhi on Monday as police lathi-charged thousands of protesters, leaving several demonstrators injured.

Police also fired tear gas shells, barricaded roads and detained protesters as a massive confrontation erupted in one of the most significant anti-government protests in recent years.

According to reports, several police personnel were also injured during the clashes, which disrupted normal life across the city.