Supreme court scolds police : Could’hv stopped clash without favoring one side
Justice KM Joseph gave the example of police in US and UK to say the police in these countries act professionally as per law if something goes wrong.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday came down heavily on Delhi Police for not doing enough to check violence that has gripped the capital and also the inflammatory speeches that provoke mobs. The observations were made while the court was hearing the Shaheen Bagh matter.
The court also said that the violence in Delhi would not have happened had police not allowed instigators to get away.
The Solicitor General appealed to the Supreme Court bench not to make any adverse observations relating to Delhi violence as it will demoralise the police force.
Justice KM Joseph gave the example of police in US and UK to say the police in these countries act professionally as per law if something goes wrong.
This comes amid rampant violence in the national capital for 3 days straight. Arson, clashes and violence have left at least 20 people dead in Delhi, including a Delhi Police constable.
The Supreme Court, however, refused to entertain pleas on Delhi violence and said the Delhi High Court is already hearing the matter.
After being pulled up by the Supreme Court, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta tried to defend Delhi Police saying if the police start acting, the court often intervenes to stop it.
The Supreme Court bench of Justice Kaul and Justice KM Joseph said, “All over the country the problem has been that different state governments fail to implement guidelines on police professionalism mentioned in the Prakash Singh case.”
“Court passes orders without knowing ground realities in which police works in. A DCP level officer was lynched… If people are dealt with according to law the moment something happens we will see the difference,” the court observed.ADVERTISEMENT
While hearing the Shaheen Bagh matter, the court postponed the hearing for March 23, saying the “environment is not conducive” to discuss these issues.
The Supreme Court has read the report submitted by the interlocutors who interacted with the protesters at Shaheen Bagh to find a solution to the standoff that has been going on for over 2 months.
