Mukherjee Nagar assault case: HC raps Delhi Police, says it's evidence of police brutality

New Delhi: The Delhi high court on Wednesday rapped the Delhi Police for the alleged assault on a tempo driver and his minor son in northwest Delhi's Mukherjee Nagar, saying it was "evidence of police brutality" and how an uniformed force ought not to act.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal welcomed the order saying "I welcome the Delhi high court order against police brutalities on Sarabjeet Singh and his minor son at Mukherjee Nagar. Those entrusted with protecting citizens cannot create discord in society and spread senseless violence"

"How can you justify assault of a 15-year-old boy? If this is not evidence of police brutality then what more do you need?" a bench of Justice Jayant Nath and Justice Najmi Waziri said after perusing the videos of the assault which took place on Sunday.

The court further said if a uniformed force would act in this manner, it would "scare the citizens" who need to feel that police is there to ensure their safety.

"How can any uniformed force do this? This would scare the citizens that the uniformed force is acting in this manner. Would create disquiet in the society. You (police) have to show you are with the citizens. That is what the citizens, including children, want," the bench said.

The observations by the court came while issuing notice to the Centre, AAP government and Delhi Police seeking their stand on a PIL for an independent CBI probe into the incident. The bench also called for an independent report within a week regarding the incident from an officer of the rank of Joint Commissioner of Police and listed the matter for further hearing on July 2.

Delhi government additional standing counsel Satyakam, appearing for the police, said he was not defending the actions of the officers, adding FIRs have been lodged on complaints of both sides and they have been transferred to the Crime Branch for investigation. He also told the court that three officers, who were identified from the videos, have been suspended and an officer of Joint Commissioner of Police rank is heading an independent enquiry into the incident.

However, the court, not satisfied with the submission, said eight to nine of the officers involved in the assault were clearly identifiable and asked why no action has been taken against all of them. The bench, which perused the video in court, also said the clips showed five officers dragging the minor boy along the street and beating him with sticks and asked what action has been taken against them.