The petition sought directions to the authorities to consider a representation seeking a fact-finding exercise into the alleged lathi-charge and the differing accounts that followed.
The controversy later also reached the High Court in a separate proceeding, where Delhi Police agreed to acknowledge a complaint alleging use of force, including lathis and pellet guns, during the July 20 demonstration. NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court has declined to entertain a PIL seeking a fact-finding inquiry into conflicting accounts over the alleged use of lathis by Delhi Police during a Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest in the national capital. During the hearing, the Bench questioned whether there was any actual conflict between the official statements of the Delhi Police and the Central Armed Police Forces. The Court also observed that media reports alone cannot be treated as evidence. The Bench observed, “Is there any conflict between the official statements of the Delhi Police and the Central Police Forces? We will not entertain such petitions. The plea was filed by a person claiming to belong to the media community, who had approached the High Court after reports and videos circulated in connection with the CJP protest. During the protest, supporters allegedly attempted to march towards Parliament after gathering at Jantar Mantar. Reports and videos from the spot showed police personnel using force, including lathis and tear gas, to disperse protesters as the situation escalated. At the same time, Delhi Police publicly rejected reports of sporadic violence and detentions at the protest site, saying no such incident had taken place and that the protest was being handled professionally.