National Human Rights Commission, NHRC has issued notice to the Union Home Secretary, Chief Secretary, and Delhi Police Commissioner on allegations of beating of journalists and students outside Patiala House Court. It said the incident involves serious violation of human rights and sought reply withing a week.
The complainant had alleged that journalists and several students were assaulted by a Delhi BJP MLA and BJP supporters disguised as lawyers in the court premises where a sedition case against JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar was to be heard. NHRC has observed that teachers and students of JNU and journalists had a right to be present in the court and its premises.
The Commission said this right was denied to them by use of criminal force and physical attack unleashed on them. NHRC said such violation of human rights took place in the presence of a large number of policemen who allegedly remained mute spectators. It said the alleged inaction of the police on the occasion amounted to dereliction of duty and negligence.