[Jamia Violence] Regardless Of Isolated Cases of Violence, Police Action In Totality Was Legitimate & Proportionate: Delhi Police Tells Delhi HC

In the matters pertaining to the violence that took place inside the Jamia Millia Islamia campus last December, the Delhi Police has informed the Delhi High Court that regardless of some isolated cases, the action taken by police was legitimate and proportionate in totality."There are isolated cases of injured students, but seen in totality, the action of police was legitimate and proportionate", submitted Additional Solicitor General Aman Lekhi, appearing for Delhi police.ASG: Even the @India_NHRC had recognised the nature of the mob in its report, and it is the report that the Petitioners have themselves have relied on 'This is the vindication of the police action', ASG argues#Jamia #anticaa @DelhiPolice— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) August 28, 2020 The Delhi Police submitted before the Division Bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Prateek Jalan that the police took recourse to force only as a matter of last resort, after issuing multiple warnings to the 'violent mob'. The said submissions were made in the series of petitions filed before the Delhi High Court seeking compensation for students who were allegedly attacked by the police, and registration of FIRs against police officers who allegedly indulged in brutality inside the University campus and library. Appearing for the Delhi Police, Additional Solicitor General Aman Lekhi argued that the protest march started by the students immediately became violent by destroying public and private property, blocking the roads, burning tyres and school buses, and destroying police barricades. 'The intention of the mob was not to stage a peaceful protest but to indulge in crime and violence', ASG argued. ASG further argued that multiple warnings were issued to the mob by the police through the loudspeaker; the students were informed that their gathering has been declared as unlawful. Despite this, the mob continued to indulge in arson and violence. '20 policemen were injured due to the mob violence… the mob was completely out of control and did not pay any heed to the warnings', ASG submitted. While calling the said protest a result of a deep rooted conspiracy, ASG contended that the 'unruly mob' created a situation of law and order with an intention to overawe the law. As pet the police report, the said mob was verging with an intention to commit culpable homicide amounting to murder. 'Imagine what would've happened if the mob was allowed to succeed with its intentions...Their intention was that we'll take the law in our hands and dare you stop us', ASG argued. ASG also submitted that the observations made by the National Human Rights Commission in its fact-finding report also vindicates the stand of the police. Therefore, ASG argued, the gravity of the threat posed by the 'unruly mob' entitled the police to take the action which was taken. 'University is a place of learning, not of violence and arson,' ASG contended. Delhi Police will continue their arguments on September 18.Read the reports about petitioners' submissions :Jamia Violence: 'Purpose Of Police Attack Was To Threaten Students To Never Participate In Anti-CAA Protests', Submits Sr Adv Gonslaves In Delhi HCJamia Violence: 'Police Cannot Become A Judge In Its Own Cause', Sr Adv Khurhsid Urges Delhi HC To Order Independent ProbeJamia Violence: Police Acted With Sheer Vindictiveness Against Students, Submits Sr Adv Jaising In Delhi HCJamia Violence: Blinded & Injured Students Urge Delhi HC To Direct Payment Of Compensation

[Jamia Violence] Regardless Of Isolated Cases of Violence, Police Action In Totality Was Legitimate & Proportionate: Delhi Police Tells Delhi HC

Karan Tripathi

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