GUWAHATI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday, July 28, observed that allegations of injuries suffered by students and police personnel during nationwide student protests require a fair and independent investigation, and indicated that it may constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by a former Supreme Court judge.
ALSO READ: 39 Injured After Amarnath Yatra Bus Skids Off Road in J&K
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana sought responses from the Union government, Delhi NCT and the states of Assam, Bihar, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Kerala on the allegations raised in a batch of petitions.
The court also issued interim directions, ordering the release of all students arrested or detained in connection with the protests who do not have any criminal antecedents.
The bench directed authorities to preserve all evidence related to the protests, including CCTV footage, drone recordings, body-worn camera footage, wireless communication records and PCR logs.
The court further ordered states to protect the personal information and digital data of protesters, directing that such details should not be made public or published for the time being.
"No coercive steps" should be taken against students involved in the protests if they have no criminal antecedents, the court directed.
The Supreme Court was hearing petitions alleging police brutality against student protesters who had participated in demonstrations across the country from July 20 over examination paper leaks and other systemic irregularities. The court also heard pleas filed on behalf of injured police officials and media persons.
During the hearing, the bench initially directed the release of children below 18 years of age who had been detained or arrested. However, after Senior Advocate Shadan Farasat pointed out that some detainees were aged 19 or 20, the court clarified that the relief would apply to all students without criminal antecedents.
The bench observed that the allegations raised by the petitioners "prima facie make out a case for an independent and fair probe", adding that such an investigation would effectively address the concerns raised before the court.
The petitions will be heard next on August 3.