‘Very Distressing to Observe’: SC Judge Justice Ujjal Bhuyan Criticises Police Action at Jantar Mantar

September 5, 2026

New Delhi: Supreme Court judge Justice Ujjal Bhuyan has expressed serious concern over the alleged assault of protesters by police personnel during the recent student protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, describing the conduct as “very, very distressing to observe”.

Speaking at the launch of retired IPS officer Yashovardhan Azad’s book Policing the Republic on Friday, Justice Bhuyan said the detachment expected from police officers appeared to be disappearing.

“All of us are dismayed when we see young officers of the Indian Police Service personally going and assaulting protesters and demonstrators. This is something very, very distressing to observe,” Justice Bhuyan said.

“The detachment expected of police officers somehow seems to be disappearing, and this is indeed a matter of grave concern,” he added.

Justice Bhuyan Stresses Police Credibility

Justice Bhuyan said effective policing could be carried out without excessive use of force or infringement of human rights.

“For most common people, a policeman on the street wearing a whistle and a lathi represents the power and authority of the state. When they feel wronged, they seek the help of the police. It is, therefore, of utmost importance that the police force maintains its credibility,” he said.

He stressed that the police can maintain credibility only by strictly adhering to the Constitution, functioning professionally and impartially, maintaining integrity and upholding the rule of law.

Supreme Court Panel Probing Police Action

Justice Bhuyan’s remarks come amid scrutiny of police and paramilitary action during the July 20 student protests at Jantar Mantar and the subsequent march towards Parliament.

The Supreme Court has constituted a high-level panel headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice R Subhash Reddy to examine allegations of excessive force by the Delhi Police during the protests.

The panel is expected to examine complaints relating to lathi charges, tear gas, pellet guns, electronic batons and alleged harassment of protesters, besides reviewing CCTV and video footage of the incidents.

Justice Bhuyan Raises Custodial Torture Concerns

The Supreme Court judge also spoke about custodial torture and deaths, describing custodial death as one of the worst crimes in a civilised society governed by the rule of law.

He referred to the Supreme Court’s landmark D K Basu vs State of West Bengal judgment, which laid down safeguards concerning arrest and interrogation and recognised the need to protect the human rights of people in custody.

Justice Bhuyan also criticised the practice of extra-judicial killings or “fake encounters”, saying that an “encounter philosophy” cannot be part of policing and that such incidents undermine the rule of law.