‘Very, Very Distressing’: SC Judge Slams Police Assault On Student Protesters At Jantar Mantar

Last Updated:September 05, 2026, 05:31 IST

Justice Ujjal Bhuyan highlighted an alarming trend of senior uniformed personnel directly engaging in physical violence against citizens exercising their right to peaceful assembly

Justice Bhuyan’s sharp remarks come amid heightened public scrutiny over recent police crackdowns on student demonstrations at Jantar Mantar. File pic/PTI

Supreme Court judge Justice Ujjal Bhuyan has voiced deep dismay over police personnel physically assaulting student protesters and demonstrators at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. Speaking at a book release in the capital, the senior judge described the excessive use of force as “very distressing” and “a matter of grave concern” for a constitutional democracy.

Addressing an audience that included senior legal and political figures, Justice Bhuyan expressed concern that the professional detachment traditionally expected of law enforcement officers appears to be rapidly eroding.

Loss of Professional Detachment

The judge highlighted the alarming trend of senior uniformed personnel directly engaging in physical violence against citizens exercising their right to peaceful assembly.

• Dismay Over Officer Conduct: “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 noted.
• Disappearing Neutrality: He emphasised that the mandatory operational distance and professional restraint expected of police officers when handling public crowds seem to be disappearing.

Reaffirming the Right to Dissent

Justice Bhuyan’s sharp remarks come amid heightened public scrutiny over recent police crackdowns on student demonstrations at Jantar Mantar. The judge reiterated that effective policing can be achieved strictly within constitutional boundaries without resorting to excessive force, cruel treatment, or human rights violations.

His comments closely align with his recent public addresses, asserting that questioning authorities is an essential expression of citizenship and liberty. He reaffirmed that students holding divergent views or demanding accountability should never be threatened with state-sponsored punitive action or silenced through institutional force.

Rule of Law and Institutional Accountability

Warning against state functionaries breaking legal boundaries, Justice Bhuyan stressed that when law enforcers violate established standards, it breeds widespread contempt for the rule of law across society.

He cited key constitutional protections, reminding law enforcement agencies that citizens do not forfeit their fundamental rights to dignity and life the moment they are detained or confronted by state authorities. The remarks reinforce growing calls for comprehensive police reforms and strict adherence to constitutional safeguards during public demonstrations.

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What did Supreme Court Justice Ujjal Bhuyan say about police actions against student protesters at Jantar Mantar?

Justice Ujjal Bhuyan expressed deep dismay over police physically assaulting student protesters at Jantar Mantar, calling the excessive force “very distressing” and a “grave concern” for a constitutional democracy. He highlighted the erosion of professional detachment among law enforcement and reaffirmed the right to dissent, stating that questioning authorities is essential for citizenship and liberty.

What is the Supreme Court’s stance on police use of force during peaceful protests?

The Supreme Court, led by CJI Surya Kant, stated that peaceful and lawful protest is a constitutionally protected right, and police cannot justify excessive force or lathicharge merely because an agitation is occurring. The court emphasized that any allegations of excessive force should be independently investigated and called for a uniform national protocol for handling protests across the country.

What did the Supreme Court say about punishing students for expressing different viewpoints?

Supreme Court Justice Ujjal Bhuyan stated that students expressing different viewpoints or asking questions cannot be threatened with punitive action, as it is unconstitutional and a misuse of power. He emphasized that universities should be places where established positions can be questioned and disagreements handled with reason, not hostility.

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Pathikrit Sen Gupta

Pathikrit Sen Gupta is a Senior Associate Editor with News18.com and likes to cut a long story short. He writes sporadically on Politics, Sports, Global Affairs, Space, Entertainment, And Food. He tra…Read More

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