CJP Protest: The Delhi Police has told the Supreme Court why some officers were seen in plain clothes during the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest in Delhi on July 20. Police said these officers were placed among the protesters as part of a crowd-control plan.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Sachin Sharma said the plain-clothes officers were “spotters”. They came from the Special Branch, Special Cell, Crime Branch and local police. Some of them were also carrying lathis.
According to the police, using officers in normal clothes is not illegal or unusual. The force said this type of deployment can also be seen during major public events such as Independence Day and Republic Day. The idea is to allow officers to stay close to the crowd and watch what is happening without being easily noticed.
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The explanation comes after the July 20 march led by the CJP near Jantar Mantar turned into a major dispute over police action. Protesters and petitioners have alleged that excessive force was used against students during the march towards Parliament.
The Delhi Police has rejected these allegations. In its submissions, the force said it used restraint and only the amount of force needed to control the situation. Police have also alleged that some people with criminal records and other “anti-social elements” became involved in the protest. The police said more than 240 personnel were injured during the clashes.
The issue of plain-clothes officers became another major point of concern after videos and pictures from the protest showed people wearing civilian clothes while holding lathis. The police has defended the deployment as part of its operational strategy for handling a large gathering.
The Supreme Court on August 18 said it would create a high-powered committee to look into the allegations surrounding the police action and the violence reported during the protests.
The proposed panel will include retired Supreme Court and High Court judges along with a former Director General of Police and a former CBI director. The committee will carry out a fact-finding exercise and will be given the facilities needed for its work.
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A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana said the formal order setting up the panel would be issued after suggestions are received from the different parties about other members.
The case is being heard through a group of petitions linked to allegations of police excesses against student protesters as well as claims that police personnel were attacked during the July 20 agitation. Earlier, the Supreme Court had also stressed that peaceful protest is a protected right and that an agitation alone cannot be used to justify police excesses.
The Delhi High Court has also been dealing with petitions over the July 20 protest and has directed authorities to preserve CCTV footage, videos and other records connected to the incident.
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