Ramjas violence: Delhi HC to hear plea seeking action against cops for 'manhandling' students

The Delhi High Court today will hear the plea seeking action against those policemen who used excessive force during the clash in Ramjas College, and allegedly manhandling students and journalists.

Last week, 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 22nd, 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.

Earlier, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that he was in touch with Delhi Police over the turbulent situation arising out of the Ramjas College clash.

However, the Delhi Police had 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.

Asserting that strict action would be taken against the guilty, Pathak said a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) level officer is conducting an enquiry into the matter.

"A committee is instituted and top leadership is monitoring and taking care of it. We don't condone such action. Strict action will be taken," he added.

Emphasising that the police would make sure such events do not recur in future, he said: "In future, regarding student protest, we request students to remain peaceful and be in the bounds of law."

He further said a probe has been launched into the matter.

"The allegations and adverse things have come out but we are enquiring into it. We are looking into certain allegations," he added.