NEW DELHI:
A petitioner in the NEET protest violence case has urged the Supreme Court to fix accountability for security personnel accused of using force against women protesters during a march towards Parliament in Delhi on July 20.
The petition relates to clashes that broke out when protesters attempted to move towards Parliament. Security personnel used lathis and tear gas to disperse the gathering.
The petitioner argued that the deployment included the Rapid Action Force, a specialised wing of the CRPF, operating under the direct operational command of the Union Home Ministry. The Delhi Police, too, is administratively under the Union Home Ministry.
The plea therefore contended that the Union government bore direct constitutional responsibility for the security arrangements deployed during the protest.
The petitioner sought guidelines to fix responsibility on officers who order or supervise the use of force. It also called for preservation of records showing how situations escalated and mandatory consideration of less restrictive alternatives before force is used.
Special safeguards have been sought for women, students, elderly persons and other vulnerable protesters.
The plea also sought periodic review of prohibitory orders imposed under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, with judicially reviewable records explaining the restrictions.
It further called for independent examination of allegations of excessive force and specialised police training in de-escalation, negotiation, facilitating peaceful assemblies and constitutional standards governing the use of force.