A sitting judge of the Supreme Court of India strongly criticized Delhi Police personnel for physically assaulting demonstrators during a crackdown at Jantar Mantar, describing the scenes as “very, very distressing to observe.” The remarks were made during a judicial proceeding that examined police conduct and the use of force against protesters.
The judge noted a lack of professional detachment among the deployed police personnel and suggested that officers exercise restraint and proportionality instead of resorting to physical confrontation. Jantar Mantar serves as an officially sanctioned location in New Delhi for citizens’ groups, unions, and activists to hold protests.
While it remains unclear if these oral remarks will result in specific directions or guidelines for future demonstrations, legal observers note that such comments from the bench carry significant weight. The Delhi Police, which reports to the central government, has previously defended its actions as necessary to maintain public order in the capital.