CPI(M) MP John Brittas injured in detention, seeks court-monitored probe
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New Delhi: CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas has sought an independent investigation into alleged police assault during his detention at a protest against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar in Delhi on Sunday.
Brittas was taken to Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital for a medical examination and an X-ray after a video shared by the CPI(M) showed him collapsing on the steps of a police bus.
In separate letters to President Droupadi Murmu, Rajya Sabha Chairman and Chief Justice of India, Brittas alleged that Delhi Police and Central Reserve Police Force personnel dragged him for around 50 metres, forcibly put him inside a vehicle and assaulted him before leaving him by the roadside. He said he had reached Connaught Place around 12.30 pm after learning that young protesters were being assaulted and detained.
The MP has demanded a court-supervised probe by an independent agency or a special investigation team, along with the preservation of CCTV footage, police vehicle records and deployment details.
CPI(M) general secretary M A Baby and RJD MP Manoj Jha visited Brittas at the hospital. Baby also alleged that student and youth activists, including members of SFI and DYFI, were assaulted during detention.
The protest was organised to demand Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Demonstrators were prevented from reaching Jantar Mantar, where the agitation had been planned.