Cannot Decide When Use Of Force May Be Required, Bombay HC On Police Brutality Amid Lockdown

Supported by

The Bombay High Court on August 17 said that ‘police brutality’ amid the lockdown is only one side of the coin, and stated that many citizens are not complying with restrictions imposed to contain the spread of COVID-19.

‘There are black sheep everywhere,’ a division bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Anuja Prabhudessai said while hearing a petition filed by advocate Firdause Irani, raising concerns on police brutality amid the lockdown.

Iranis counsel Gopal Sankarnarayan cited 13 videos showing police brutality on citizens while imposing the lockdown restrictions.

‘Policemen are seen assaulting people with lathis or slapping them without first asking the reason why they are travelling,’ he said.

The High Court, however, maintained that there are always two sides to a story.

‘Police brutality is only one side of the coin. The truth is that there are many amongst us who do not care about the lockdown guidelines and do not comply with restrictions. There are black sheep everywhere,’ Chief Justice Datta said.

Sankarnarayan argued that even if citizens violate lockdown restrictions, the police does not have the right to assault any person. To this, the court said it ‘cannot sit to decide in which case or situation the use of lathis, teargas or force may be required.’

‘Every case or situation cannot be painted with the same brush,’ Chief Justice Datta said, adding if people violate laws, then they have to be dealt with an iron hand.

‘Police has been given the task to safeguard interests of the general public. In such a situation, some policemen think just because they have a lathi, they can use it,’ Chief Justice Datta said.

The bench then asked the petitioner to submit his suggestions on how police should tackle such violators.

‘We will then see if police can be asked to follow the suggestions,’ the court said.

Also Read: Bengaluru Violence: Karnataka Govt To Invoke UAPA, Goonda Act, Aims To Regulate Social Media Posts

#PoweredByYou We bring you news and stories that are worth your attention! Stories that are relevant, reliable, contextual and unbiased. If you read us, watch us, and like what we do, then show us some love! Good journalism is expensive to produce and we have come this far only with your support. Keep encouraging independent media organisations and independent journalists. We always want to remain answerable to you and not to anyone else.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Featured

Amplified by

P&G Shiksha

P&G Shiksha Turns 20 And These Stories Say It All

Amplified by

Isha Foundation

Sadhguru’s Meditation App ‘Miracle of Mind’ Hits 1 Million Downloads in 15 Hours, Surpassing ChatGPT’s Early Growth

Recent Stories

UGC NET 2025: June Session Results Expected Soon; Here’s a Step-by-Step Guide to Check Your Scores

13 Children Aged 2–6 Hospitalised After Vitamin A Drops at Karnataka Anganwadi; Probe Underway

Karnataka: 30% of Sudden Cardiac Deaths in Hassan Involved Auto and Cab Drivers, No Overall Spike Found

Contributors

Writer : 
Editor : 
Creatives :