In a setback to the Delhi Police, its Commissioner Anurag Kumar issued an 'unconditional' apology to the Supreme Court in a contempt of court case linked to the October 10 protests by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).
The Delhi Police violated an October 9 court order by closing entry and exit gates to metro stations. An affidavit filed before the court said the police indulged in indiscriminate violence against people who participated in the protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
According to the Bar & Bench, the police commissioner sought the discharge of the contempt notice before a bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi.
On October 9, the court had directed the Delhi Police not to halt metro operations and internet services. It has also said there must be no illegal detentions.
The Commissioner also told the court that the detained protesters were served fresh and hot meals. Videos of police brutality on the protesters are widely circulated on social media.
On Jantar Mantar denotification
Meanwhile, the SC bench observed that it would examine if the Delhi Police had applied its mind while denotifying 'Jantar Mantar' as a protest site.
On October 12, the Delhi Police denotified the designated protest site and named three other places for the purpose. The move has caused widespread protests, with the CJP and the opposition INDIA bloc refusing to accept the decision.
On October 11, Anurag Kumar issued the order naming Ramlila Maidan, Burari ground and CBD ground as the new designated sites for protests and demonstrations in Delhi.