'Don't Drag Court Into All This': Delhi HC on Plea Alleging Police Use of Excessive Force on Protestors

New Delhi: "Don’t drag the court into all this," the Delhi high court today (July 21) said, when a petitioner requested that it list a plea alleging excessive use of force by police against protesters a day ago.

Bar and Bench reports Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya made this remark to the lawyer of the petitioner.

Reports, including those of The Wire show extraordinary violence was perpetrated on protesters – many of whom were minor students – as they attempted to march to the parliament in protest against the state of the education system of the country.

Activists of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) outfit had called for the march from Jantar Mantar, demanding accountability for repeated examination paper leaks and also seeking the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Several had been on a hunger strike for over 22 days pressing for dialogue with the government.

Educator Sonam Wangchuk continues to be on fast. This is his 24th day hungry.

A day ago the Delhi high court's Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya refused to urgently hear a public interest litigation about Wangchuk's forceful removal from the hunger strike site of Jantar Mantar

“What is the urgency? That can be declared illegal even on Wednesday. You are seeking a declaration that can be made day after tomorrow also,” Chief Justice Upadhyaya had said.

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