Suo Motu Intervention: NHRC Seeks Report on Alleged Police Excesses During Jantar Mantar Protest

New Delhi: In a major development that has intensified the debate over police accountability and the protection of civil liberties, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of the alleged use of excessive force by the Delhi Police during the July 20 protest at Jantar Mantar.

Taking serious note of reports surrounding the incident, the Commission has issued a notice directing the Delhi Police to submit a detailed report within two weeks. The NHRC has made it clear that the report must comprehensively explain the circumstances that led to the police action and whether the measures adopted were legally justified and proportionate.

The Commission has sought a complete factual account of the July 20 incident, including the reasons for imposing prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). It has also asked the Delhi Police to disclose the extent to which lathi-charge, tear gas, and pellet rounds were used to disperse protesters.

In addition, the NHRC has demanded details of the injuries sustained by the protesters, particularly students, and whether timely medical assistance was provided to those injured during the operation. The Commission has further sought information on the standard operating procedures (SOPs) followed for crowd control and whether those procedures were implemented in accordance with established legal and human rights standards.

Significantly, the Commission has also directed the Delhi Police to clarify whether any internal inquiry has been initiated to determine if the use of force was necessary, justified, and proportionate under the prevailing circumstances. The findings of such an inquiry, if any, are expected to form an important part of the report.

To ensure that crucial evidence remains intact, the NHRC has issued another important direction ordering the preservation of all CCTV footage and video recordings related to the incident. The Commission has instructed that the visual evidence be submitted along with the detailed report to facilitate an impartial and transparent examination of the events.

The NHRC’s intervention has once again placed the spotlight on the delicate balance between maintaining public order and protecting citizens’ constitutional right to peaceful protest. The Commission’s inquiry is expected to closely examine whether law enforcement authorities acted within the framework of the law while responding to the demonstration.

With a strict two-week deadline now in place, the Delhi Police is expected to furnish its response addressing every aspect sought by the Commission. The outcome of the NHRC’s inquiry could have far-reaching implications for police accountability, crowd-control practices, and the protection of human rights during public demonstrations across the country.

The case continues to attract widespread public attention and is likely to remain under close legal and institutional scrutiny in the coming weeks.