Ramjas row: Delhi HC disposes off plea seeking action against cops

Students approached HC for action against cops responsible for assaulting students

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday disposed off a plea seeking action against policemen for allegedly manhandling students and journalists during a clash that broke out between two student associations in Ramjas college.

The students from Delhi University's law department approached the High Court for action against those cops responsible for assaulting students and scribes.

Two of Delhi University law students Tarun Narang and Deepak Joshi filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the matter, which seeks formation of an independent committee of senior Delhi Police officials to investigate what led to massive protests in the College.

It also demanded that police lodge cases under Section 354 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) (assaulting a woman with intent to outrage her modesty) against the Police officers.

On February 22, the All India Students Association (AISA) and the ABVP engaged into a scuffle over cancellation of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student Umar Khalid's talk at Delhi University's Ramjas College.

Following the emerging reports about the extreme violence, the National Human Rights Commission issued a notice to the Delhi Police Commissioner.

"Allegedly, some journalists, covering clashes, were slapped, punched and kicked by the policemen. The Commission has taken on record complaints as well as media reports making similar allegations including threats to some students on social media. The Commission has given him four weeks to submit a detailed report in the matter," read the NHRC notice.

However, the Delhi Police had earlier called for strict action, while asserting that few policemen's unprofessional actions were also noticed in handling law and order situation during the scuffle.

"It came in the notice of top leadership of the Delhi police that unprofessionalism was seen on the part of certain policemen in handling law and order situation. We will take action according to the circumstances," Delhi Police spokesperson Dependra Pathak told ANI.