The Delhi High Court on Wednesday directed authorities to preserve CCTV footage, videography and all other relevant records linked to the alleged police action during the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) protest in the national capital.
The order came while the court issued notices to the Centre and the Delhi Police on petitions seeking a court-monitored Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the incident.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia instructed authorities to preserve all relevant material in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued by the Delhi Police or the Union government.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on September 11.
Court Seeks Replies from Centre and Delhi Police
The petitions seek an independent SIT investigation into the alleged use of excessive force during the protest. They also request registration of FIRs against police personnel, production of deployment and operational records, and disciplinary action against officers accused of misconduct.
While issuing notices, the Bench directed that all evidence, including CCTV recordings and videography related to the incident, be preserved until further orders.
Petitioners Allege Excessive Use of Force
Appearing for the petitioners, Senior Advocate N. Hariharan argued that the protest began peacefully at Jantar Mantar before police allegedly resorted to excessive force without prior warning.
He alleged that protesters were assaulted, women participants were subjected to misconduct, and more than 90 people sustained injuries during the police action. He urged the court to order FIRs against the officers involved and initiate an independent inquiry.
Senior Advocate Vikas Singh also submitted that despite the large gathering on July 20, the protest remained peaceful and that authorities had not alleged violence by demonstrators before the police intervention.
Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan argued that some individuals involved in the operation were not in police uniform. Referring to video recordings, he alleged indiscriminate use of tear gas, lathi-charge and physical force against protesters, including women and family members present at the site. He said he had reviewed more than 100 videos documenting the incident and sought judicial intervention.
Delhi Police Oppose SIT Probe
Opposing the petitions, the Delhi Police denied allegations of brutality and maintained that the protest had turned violent.
Appearing for the authorities, Senior Advocate S.V. Raju argued that protesters became unruly, resorted to violence and allegedly pelted stones at police personnel. He submitted that the petitions relied on selective social media videos while ignoring other evidence.
Raju also contended that individuals alleging cognisable offences had alternative legal remedies, including approaching a magistrate, and described the petitions as “publicity-seeking.”
The Centre was represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, while Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma also opposed the petitions.
Court Says Matter Has Wider Public Importance
During the hearing, the Bench observed that the case was “not an isolated individual incident.” The court noted that if the matter involved only individual grievances, the police’s argument regarding private legal remedies might have been appropriate. However, considering the broader public nature of the allegations, it decided to seek responses from the concerned authorities before proceeding further.
The High Court will take up the matter again on September 11, after receiving replies from the Centre and the Delhi Police.
