Delhi High Court Declines Request for Mandatory Body Cameras on Security Personnel During Protests

The Delhi High Court made a significant ruling on Wednesday, denying a petition that sought to require police and Rapid Action Force (RAF) members to wear body cameras during protest situations. The decision comes amidst ongoing concerns over police conduct during an influx of protests, particularly those surrounding competitive examination irregularities that escalated in July.

The bench, comprising Acting Chief Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre and Justice Arun Bhardwaj, advised the Union government to consider the public interest litigation as a formal representation. They instructed the government to respond to this matter within six months. Should there be no action taken, the petitioner has the option to return to court for further proceedings.

This legal move follows the July protests where numerous demonstrators were reportedly injured as security forces employed lathis, tear gas, and pellet guns to disperse crowds. The unrest primarily stemmed from allegations of mismanagement in various competitive examinations, leading to widespread frustration among aspirants. This backdrop of tension has amplified demands for accountability and transparency in law enforcement practices.

The individual who filed the petition, a participant in the July demonstrations, highlighted the lack of concrete evidence documenting alleged instances of police brutality, which were largely based on unverified videos captured by bystanders. The petitioner argued that without a structured policy mandating body cameras for security personnel, there exists a risk of infringing upon citizens’ fundamental rights, including the right to life, personal liberty, free speech, and peaceful assembly.

As protests against examination irregularities have continued to surface since June, this ruling underscores the ongoing debate about police accountability in India. Advocates for reform are calling for measures that ensure greater oversight and protection of civil liberties during public demonstrations. With the court directing the government to take the petition seriously, the next six months will be critical in determining how such issues are addressed on a national level.

Source: scroll.in