The NHRC, in its May 2020 report, recommended grant of compensation to the victims and suggested the Centre, Delhi Police and other authorities “identify members of force as seen in CCTV footages involved in damaging CCTV Cameras, unnecessarily caning inside the reading rooms of libraries of JMI and also using tear gas shells inside the close compound of library” and to take “suitable action”.Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves, representing some petitioners, told the bench, also comprising Justice Manoj Jain, that 91 students were injured in the incident and the NHRC conducted a “poor investigation” into the matter.Counsel for the police argued that the petitioners before the high court were “interlopers” and the local politicians in the area were using protests in JMI as a “facade” to attack police and cause violence.The petitioners had earlier said that in the present case, there was a need for an SIT, which was independent of the police and the central government, to probe the alleged brutalities committed upon the students by the police force.They have said that such a move would “reassure the public” and restore the people’s faith in the system.The police have, in their response, opposed the petitions and said that the reliefs sought by the petitioners cannot be granted as charge sheets have been filed in connection with the violence cases and they should have sought whatever relief they want before the subordinate court concerned.It has opposed setting up the SIT to inquire into the alleged police atrocities as well as transferring the FIRs lodged against the students to an independent agency and argued that a stranger cannot seek a judicial enquiry or investigation by any third-party agency.The police have said that PIL petitioners cannot be permitted to choose the members of SIT for investigating and prosecuting any alleged offence.It has asserted that in the garb of student agitation, there was a well-planned and orchestrated attempt by some persons with local support to intentionally perpetrate violence in the area and subsequently, the comprehensive investigation has been carried out by the Crime Branch of Delhi Police in several FIRs.The matter would be heard next on March 14.
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