Petitions seeking independent probe into Jamia violence: Delhi HC asks Centre to file reply within 2 days

The Delhi High Court on Monday directed the Central Government to file its reply to all the petitions concerning Jamia violence within 2 days. The Division Bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Prateek Jalan further directed the Centre to stick to the said timeline otherwise the court will pass a strict order, legal news website LiveLaw.in has reported.

In addition to this, the court has directed the Petitioners to file their rejoinders within 4 days of receiving the reply from Centre. All the parties are directed to circulate the consolidated list of issues among themselves.

The present order has come in a batch of petitions seeking independent judicial inquiry into the alleged acts of police brutality that took place inside the campus of Jamia Millia University last December.

The Petitioners have argued that the Delhi Police entered the University campus without prior permission and allegedly indulged in violence not only against the protesting students but also students sitting in the library and mosque.

In addition to independent enquiry, these petitions also demand compensation for students who suffered serious injuries during the violence.

In its affidavit, Delhi Police had submitted that the police used proportionate force to stop an alleged mob of unlawful assembly, the Deputy Commissioner of Delhi Police states that is not only the right but an obligation and a duty of the police to enter any such areas, when circumstances and situation legitimately demand such an action on part of the police to maintain law and order and to ensure protection of life, limb and property of innocent citizens and general public.

While highlighting that no coercive action has been taken against any of the innocent students studying in Jamia, the affidavit had also submitted that with a view to tackle the alleged riotous situation which was going out of hand, the police authorities had to take adequate measures like use of tear gas shelling and lathi charge. The use of the aforesaid was minimalistic considering the gravity of the situation.

The case pertains to violence that broke out at the campus of Jamia Millia Islamia University last December. While the police claims that the force used was proportionate to the violence committed by the mob, there are many students who are severely injured and are seeking registering of FIRs against the erring officials as well as compensation for their injuries.

The court will next take up the matter on July 21.