HC seeks report on police action during stir

PRAYAGRAJ: The Allahabad high court directed the Uttar Pradesh government on Monday to submit a detailed report on the allegations of police atrocities during anti-citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protests in Uttar Pradesh on December 19 and 20, 2019.

A two-judge bench comprising Chief Justice Govind Mathur and Justice Siddhartha Verma passed the order hearing a number of public interest litigations, alleging that the UP Police used excessive force on protestors, resulting into several deaths and injuries.

A petitioner alleged that the injured were not given proper medical aid and authorities were not providing post-mortem reports to the family members.

“How many complaints have been filed against the police or government officials over the crackdown on protesters?” the high court asked the UP government, seeking a detailed report on police action by February 17.

The court also directed the state to ensure that family members of the deceased should get the post-mortem reports. The state government has also been asked to inform the court whether or not it verified media reports on police atrocities.

Additional advocate general Manish Goyal, appearing for state government, argued that no excessive force was used by the police and even police personnel were injured while trying to maintain law and order in the state.

About 20 people were killed in the state during the anti-caa protests in Uttar Pradesh on December 20.