'Very, Very Distressing': Justice Ujjal Bhuyan Says Police Assaulting Protestors Is Matter Of Grave Concern

Justice Ujjal Bhuyan of the Supreme Court recently stated that its "distressing" to see police officers assaulting protestors and demonstrators in the recent student protests.

He said: "All of us are dismayed when we see young officers of the Indian police service personally going and assaulting protestors and demonstrators. It is something very very distressing to observe."

Justice Bhuyan made these statements while speaking at the book release of retired IPS officer Yashovardhan Azad's 'Policing the Republic', according to PTI. He stated that it's unfortunate that the detachment expected from police officers in terms of performing their duty somehow seems to be disappearing. 

He added: "The detachment expected of police officers somehow seems to be disappearing, and this is indeed a matter of grave concern."

Justice Bhuyan referred to the landmark D.K.Basu Vs State of West Bengal(1997), wherein the Supreme Court laid down a slew of directions on arrest and interrogation by police officers, and added: "D.K. Basu didn't stop at that. Supreme Court endorsed the need for compensating the victims whose human rights were violated."

Justice Bhuyan has been vocal against the use of force to disperse peaceful protestors. He has also stated that India, which once accommodated divergent views, has shrunk to the extent that students protesting for their rights are arrested and denied bail.