SC begins hearing pleas against Delhi police crackdown on CJP protesters

NEW DELHI: A two-judge special bench of the Supreme Court began hearing a batch of pleas on Sunday over the Delhi Police crackdown on protesters during the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) demonstration in Delhi on October 10.

The bench, comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, began hearing pleas challenging the detention of protesters by Delhi Police and paramilitary forces, as well as a contempt petition alleging wilful disobedience of the court’s directions.

During the hearing, the Supreme Court said it would hear all lawyers seeking to mention their pleas. “Two matters are before us. There are lawyers who wish to make an unlisted mention of pleas filed. What we purpose to do is to go from right to left (in the Bar) and give an opportunity to hear every party,” the court said.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for one of the petitioners, raised concerns over the detentions and the imposition of Section 163.

Sibal argued that people were being picked up from trains and raised the issue of internet suspension, which he said was covered by the Anuradha Bhasin case.

Meanwhile, senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan said unarmed children participating in the protest had been beaten, describing the action as illegal.

The hearing is under way. The court is expected to consider passing an interim order at the end of the proceedings.

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