Will Acknowledge Complaint Alleging Use Of Pellet Guns, Electric Shock During CJP Protest: Delhi Police Tells High Court

The Delhi Police on Wednesday told the Delhi High Court that it will give acknowledgement regarding receipt of a complaint against senior cops over the alleged use of force, including pellet guns and lathis, against protesters during the July 20 demonstration at Jantar Mantar.

The Delhi Police told Justice Prateek Jalan that the acknowledgement was not given earlier on the date when the complaint was filed on July 23 “due to a temporary technical glitch” in the system.

“The acknowledgment, along with DD number, will be generated and given during the course of the day,” the Court noted the police's stand.

The Court disposed of a plea filed by Anand Legal Aid Forum Trust alleging that the Parliament Street police station had not issued an acknowledgement of the receipt of its complaint dated July 22.

According to the petition, a written complaint was submitted at the concerned Police Station on July 23, alleging commission of cognizable offences in connection with the police action.

It is claimed that the duty officer and the Station House Officer refused to acknowledge the complaint by affixing an official stamp, signature or Daily Diary (DD) number despite the petitioner waiting at the police station for nearly an hour and subsequently making complaints through the Delhi Police helpline and WhatsApp.

The complaint seeks registration of criminal proceedings against the Commissioner of Police, Joint Commissioner of Police, other senior police officials, and unidentified Delhi Police, RAF and CRPF personnel, alleging offences including attempt to murder, illegal lathi-charge, use of pellet guns, iron rods, electric shocks and tear gas against the protesters.

Clarifying its stand, the Delhi Police today submitted that a temporary technical glitch had prevented the police station from issuing the acknowledgement. It was assured that an acknowledgement receipt will now be provided to the petitioner.

The plea also sought directions upon the Union Government and the Delhi Government to frame a binding Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and Citizen Charter mandating police stations to issue stamped acknowledgments for every written complaint disclosing a cognizable offence.

Title: ANAND LEGAL AID FORUM TRUST v. UNION OF INDIA & ANR