Justice Bhuyan criticises police brutality against students at CJP protest

Supreme Court judge Justice Ujjal Bhuyan on Friday criticised the use of force against student protesters, saying the detachment expected of police officers appeared to be disappearing.

Speaking at the launch of retired IPS officer Yashovardhan Azad’s book ‘Policing the Republic’, Justice Bhuyan said it was distressing to see young IPS officers personally assaulting protesters and demonstrators.

“The detachment expected of police officers somehow seems to be disappearing, and this is indeed a matter of grave concern,” he said.

Justice Bhuyan said effective policing could be carried out without excessive use of force or infringement of human rights. He stressed that the police must maintain public credibility, noting that for ordinary citizens, a policeman on the street represents the authority of the state.

His remarks come amid criticism of police and paramilitary action during student protests linked to the CJP protest. The Supreme Court has constituted a high-level panel to investigate allegations of excessive force by Delhi Police during student protests at Jantar Mantar and a march towards Parliament on July 20.

The panel, headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice R Subhash Reddy, will examine complaints involving lathi charges, tear gas, pellet guns, electronic batons and targeted harassment or molestation of women protesters. It will also review CCTV footage and other videos of the clashes.

Justice Bhuyan also spoke about custodial torture and deaths, describing custodial death as one of the worst crimes in a society governed by the rule of law. He questioned whether citizens lose their fundamental rights after being arrested by police.

He further criticised extra-judicial killings and fake encounters, referring to a 2011 Supreme Court judgment that held such encounters undermine the rule of law.

“Encounter philosophy is a criminal philosophy. It cannot be a part of policing,” Justice Bhuyan said.