‘Not An Isolated Incident’: Delhi HC Seeks Centre, Police Reply Over Alleged Excessive Force On CJP Protesters

Published 22 July 2026 · local

‘Not An Isolated Incident’: Delhi HC Seeks Centre, Police Reply Over Alleged Excessive Force On CJP Protesters Published By, Last Updated: July 22, 2026, 16:22

‘Not An Isolated Incident’: Delhi HC Seeks Centre, Police Reply Over Alleged Excessive Force On CJP Protesters Published By, Last Updated: July 22, 2026, 16:22 IST A bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia said that the incidents flagged by the petitioners were not isolated incidents. Rapid Read Over 900 Booked in Mumbai As Police Crack Down On CJP Protest; Multiple FIRs Registered In Delhi CJP Parliament Protest: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday sought responses from the Delhi Police and the Centre on a batch of petitions alleging excessive use of force by Delhi Police during the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led protest march to Parliament in the national capital earlier this week. A bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia said that the incidents flagged by the petitioners were not isolated incidents in which the Court can ask the affected parties to lodge a private complaint, as reported by LiveLaw. Follow LIVE Updates “Had it been an isolated incident, situation would have been different. You (police) may have been correct in asking them to go to police to lodge a private complaint. But this is not such an (isolated) incident," the High Court said. The bench also directed the authorities to preserve all relevant records, including CCTV footage, videography and other evidence related to the incident, in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) of the Delhi Police and the Union government. “Issue notice… Let a counter affidavit on behalf of the respondents be filed in four weeks… In the meantime, we direct that the relevant record in relation to the incident, including CCTV footage and videography, if any, shall be preserved in accordance with the standard operating procedure," the bench ordered. What Happened In Court? Appearing for one of the petitioners, senior advocate N. Hariharan argued that the protesters were peacefully exercising their constitutional right to assemble before the police used disproportionate force.

“The protest was happening peacefully at Jantar Mantar. They were exercising rights guaranteed under the Constitution. What followed was unimaginable. Brutality to the largest measure possible was used," he submitted. Read More: ‘Don’t Drag Us’: Delhi HC On Plea Alleging Use Of Excessive Force On Students During CJP Protest Hariharan alleged that more than 90 students sustained injuries and sought directions for preservation of CCTV footage, PCR logs, body-camera recordings and police orders authorising the use of force. He also sought an independent Special Investigation Team (SIT), arguing that the Delhi Police could not investigate allegations against its own personnel. He further alleged that some women protesters were molested by police personnel and claimed videos showed officers assaulting women and striking protesters with batons, including on private parts. Senior advocate Vikas Singh argued there was no evidence to show the protesters had turned violent before the police action. He urged the court to ensure preservation of CCTV footage and body-camera recordings, saying they would be crucial for any independent inquiry. “Hitting on the head can never be permitted under the law. Body cameras of security personnel should be immediately seized," Singh submitted. Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, appearing in another petition, alleged that several personnel involved in the operation were either in civilian clothes or in uniform without name badges, and claimed some were carrying unauthorised weapons. Referring to video footage, he alleged that Additional DCP Sandeep Lamba was seen slapping a woman protester without provocation and argued that the force used violated Supreme Court guidelines laid down in the Ram Lila Maidan judgment on handling public protests. Read More: ‘Protest In Delhi, But Not Punjab?’: BJP Questions AAP As Pharma Officer Exam ‘Live’ Cheating Unravels Opposing the petitions, Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, appearing for the Delhi Police, argued that videos showed protesters pelting stones and attacking police personnel, adding that prohibitory orders were in force under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).