Expressing outrage at the recent incidents of policemen mercilessly beating up a woman in Punjab and protesting teachers in Bihar, the Supreme Court on Wednesday said the incidents had “shocked the conscience” of the nation and demanded explanations from both state governments.
Taking suo motu cognisance of media reports about the two incidents of police brutality, a bench of Justices G.S. Singhvi and Ranjana Prakash Desai said the incidents violate the human and constitutional rights of those who were attacked and directed the Punjab and Bihar governments to file their replies by March 11.
Some police personnel were caught on camera beating protesting teachers in Patna on March 5 and a young woman in Tarn Taran in Punjab on March 4.
“Unfortunately, the administrations of the governments of Punjab and Bihar have not taken adequate steps for protecting the people against the wholly unwarranted action taken by the police at Tarn Taran and Patna. These incidents raise important constitutional issues relating to Article 21 of the Constitution and dignity of the individual. We, therefore, feel that it is proper for this court to take cognisance of the gross violation of human rights as well as the constitutional rights of the people,” the bench said. “The contents of the news items revealed that members of the Punjab police and Patna police have mercilessly beaten an unarmed woman and teachers. Both the incidents have shocked the conscience of the entire nation,” the bench said.
The bench, which took on record media reports, asked Attorney-General G.E. Vahanvati to assist the court and appointed senior advocates Harish Salve and U.U. Lalit to help out as amicus curiae in dealing with the issue.
It posted the matter for further hearing on March 11.