New Delhi: The Supreme Court has indicated that the allegations arising from the crackdown on the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) protests warrant a high-powered independent probe, while issuing a series of interim directions to safeguard evidence and protect those affected by the police action.
The court ordered that no coercive action be taken against protesters in connection with FIRs registered over the demonstrations until further orders. It also directed all concerned states to immediately release detainees below the age of 18, provided they have no criminal record.
As part of the interim measures, the bench directed authorities to preserve all CCTV footage and recordings from drones, police body cameras, wireless cameras and other surveillance devices related to the protests to ensure evidence remains available for the proposed inquiry.
The court also agreed to examine a petition filed by an advocate who alleged he was assaulted and illegally detained while attempting to secure the release of persons held during the protests. Taking note of the allegation, the bench said it would hear the matter on August 3 and consider whether specific directions were required to protect lawyers assisting detained protesters.
During the hearing, the Solicitor General informed the court that the Centre and the Delhi government would accept an independent probe ordered by the court, while maintaining that anti-social elements had infiltrated the protests and attacked police personnel, resulting in injuries to more than 200 officers.
The bench observed that the proposed inquiry would examine both allegations of police excesses and claims of violence against police personnel. Notices were issued to the Centre, the Delhi government, and the governments of Maharashtra, Bihar, Assam, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, with time granted to file their responses before further orders.