The Supreme Court on Tuesday (July 28) delivered a strong message over the security crackdown on students during the July 20 ‘Chalo Sansad’ march organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), saying that anyone who committed excesses or took the law into their own hands must be held accountable.
During the hearing, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant called for an independent investigation into the allegations of police brutality. “There has to be completely independent probe. Whoever has committed excess, law will take its course. Probe is meaningless if no responsibility is fixed,” LiveLaw quoted the CJI as saying.
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The court said the wide-ranging allegations arising from the crackdown on the CJP protest would have to be investigated by a high-powered committee, a Special Investigation Team (SIT), or any other independent body it may constitute.
Emphasising the need for an impartial inquiry, the CJI said all the issues raised before the court—including allegations against the police as well as attacks on police personnel—would have to be “probed scientifically”, indicating that the investigation must be evidence-based, comprehensive and independent.
Ruckus in both Houses of Parliament
Both Houses of Parliament were adjourned till 2 pm on Tuesday amid continued Opposition protests over the alleged use of pellet guns against students during the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led ‘Chalo Sansad’ march in Delhi on July 20, with the INDIA bloc demanding a statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Proceedings in the Lok Sabha were repeatedly disrupted as Opposition members raised slogans over the issue, prompting Speaker Om Birla to adjourn the House till 2 pm. Before adjourning the House, Birla appealed to members to allow Parliament to function, saying discussions and dialogue should take place and that every member should be given an opportunity to express their views.
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The Rajya Sabha also failed to transact any business in the pre-lunch session after Opposition MPs, particularly from the Left parties, protested the alleged police brutality against students participating in the agitation.
The protesting MPs demanded that Union Home Minister Amit Shah make a statement in the House on the alleged use of force against the students, including pellet guns, during the July 20 protest. Members of the Treasury benches opposed the demand. Chairman C P Radhakrishnan attempted to take up the listed Zero Hour mentions, but with the uproar continuing, he adjourned the House till 2 pm.
(With agency inputs)
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