SC Judge Justice Ujjal Bhuyan Criticises Police Assault on NEET Protesters

NEW DELHI: Supreme Court judge Justice Ujjal Bhuyan criticised police officers over the alleged assault on protesting students during the NEET agitation at Jantar Mantar and said that the detachment expected of officials appears to be disappearing.

While speaking at the launch of former secretary (security) Yashovardhan Azad's book "Policing the Republic", Justice Bhuyan said that police must maintain their credibility because people seek their help when they feel wronged.

"All of us are dismayed when we see young officers of the Indian Police Service personally going and assaulting protesters and demonstrators. This is something very, very distressing to observe. The detachment expected of police officers somehow seems to be disappearing, and this is indeed a matter of grave concern," Justice Bhuyan said.

"For most common people, a policeman on the street wearing a whistle and a lathi represents the power and authority of the state. When they feel wronged, they seek the help of the police. It is, therefore, of utmost importance that the police force maintains its credibility. It can do so only by strictly adhering to the Constitution, by functioning as a truly professional force, acting impartial, displaying courage and acting with conviction, maintaining integrity and adhering to secular principles, thereby upholding the rule of law," he said.

The Supreme Court judge further said that if government functionaries become lawbreakers, it is bound to breed contempt for the law and encourage lawlessness.

"If the functionaries of the government become lawbreakers, it is bound to breed contempt for the law and will encourage lawlessness. No civilised nation can permit that to happen. Does a citizen shed his fundamental right the moment a policeman arrests him?" Justice Bhuyan said.

The alleged use of force by Delhi Police during the July 20 student protests at Jantar Mantar and the march towards Parliament has come under the Supreme Court's scrutiny, with the court constituting a high-level panel to examine complaints of excessive force.

The panel, headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice R Subhash Reddy, will investigate allegations against Delhi Police and examine evidence including CCTV footage and videos of the protests.

Among the allegations to be examined are the use of lathis, tear gas, pellet guns and electronic batons, as well as claims of targeted harassment and molestation of women protesters.