Nation

NEW DELHI: An urgent hearing was not granted by the Supreme Court on Wednesday to a petition seeking intervention over allegations of police brutality against students protesting at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant stated in the proceedings that the court was unable to review video footage cited by the petitioners as evidence due to time constraints.

CJI Surya Kant, Justice Joymaly a Bagchi, and Justice V were present on the bench during the hearing. Mohana. According to the petition, Delhi Police resorted to using excessive force during student protests that demanded accountability for suspected exam irregularities and paper leaks.

The petitioners, who are seeking an urgent hearing, contended that numerous students were subjected to police brutality during the protests and argued that video recordings were unambiguously reliable in documenting the events. Nonetheless, the bench refused to view the matter as urgent.

In addition, the attorneys representing the petitioners cited footage which they said showed "excessive police activity" and asked for the court to quickly respond. The Chief Justice indicated that the bench was not capable of examining such material at the time of mention and declined to hold an immediate hearing. The dispute stems from a student protest march towards Parliament earlier this week. Thousands of students had assembled to demand changes in the examination system and take action against suspected paper leaks. According to reports, security forces prevented the protesters from moving forward, resulting in more clashes and accusations of aggressive crowd-control measures, including lathi-charges on people and use of tear gas.

The Supreme Court's ruling followed the Delhi High Court in its refusal to hear a similar appeal regarding the protests. These developments have led to debates about how and when the courts should be responsible for using excessive force during a demonstration, as well as whether it is necessary both to maintain law and order and to protect people's right to protest.

A separate case concerning the videography of Jantar Mantar protests is being heard by the Delhi High Court.... Defence: The Centre has argued that the recording of protests is carried out for ‘legal reasons’ and not intended to monitor participants’, but the Supreme Court refused (without prejudice) its own petition against the plea for immediate intervention. The case is expected to go through the usual legal procedures, despite the public's interest in the way the student protests are being dealt with.