Delhi High Court Refuses Urgent Hearing on Plea Over Alleged Police Action During Student Protest
The court says it should not be drawn into administrative and political matters, while hearing on the petition is scheduled for Wednesday.
The Delhi High Court has declined an urgent hearing on a petition alleging police excesses during a protest march from Jantar Mantar towards Parliament. The petition was filed over claims of baton charges, tear gas use, and alleged use of pellet guns against demonstrators.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejash Karia said the court should not be involved in every administrative and political matter. The bench made oral observations while refusing immediate hearing and said the matter would be taken up in detail on Wednesday.
The petition was filed by the Cockroach Janta Party and other protest organisations, which accused Delhi Police and security forces of using excessive force during the demonstration. According to the protesters, they were marching on the first day of Parliament’s Monsoon Session against alleged irregularities in the examination system and demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The protesters alleged that police used force to stop the march, including baton charges and tear gas. They also claimed that pellet guns were used to disperse the crowd and alleged that a 10 year old child was slapped during the incident.
Delhi Police has denied all these allegations. Police officials stated that pellet guns were not used and claimed that action was taken only after protesters attempted to break security barriers and damage public property. According to the police, limited force was used to restore law and order.
Pellet guns are classified by the government as non lethal weapons and use cartridges containing small rubber or plastic pellets. However, human rights groups and experts have raised concerns about their potential to cause serious injuries, especially when used at close range.
The protest has continued for several days over demands for transparency in competitive examinations. Tensions increased during the march towards Parliament after some groups of protesters crossed security barricades in central Delhi.
Following the court’s refusal to provide immediate relief, protesters and rights groups have expressed concern and are awaiting the next hearing. Human rights organisations have called for accountability and urged authorities to protect both examination transparency and the constitutional right to peaceful protest.