Can't lathicharge just because of agitation: Supreme Court's big remark

The court made the observation as a fresh batch of petitions regarding lathi-charge on protesters in various parts of the country were mentioned before it.

In a significant development amid the growing debate over alleged police excesses on protesters during the recent wave of student protests, the Supreme Court on Monday orally observed that a lathi-charge cannot be launched merely because of agitation.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India, Surya Kant, made the observation as a fresh batch of petitions regarding alleged use of excessive force on protesters in various parts of the country were mentioned before it. One of the petitions has been filed by a group of students who claim they were beaten during the protests.

The court reportedly also observed that claims of indiscriminate use of force by the police should be independently examined. One of the petitions also alleges that AK-47 rifles were used against protesters in Bihar's Siwan.

This is a developing story. It will be updated.

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