Delhi police detain protesters near Connaught Place despite Supreme Court order
Delhi police kept arresting demonstrators around Connaught Place even after the Supreme Court ruled that peaceful, unarmed protesters cannot be detained without legal procedure, loading about 100 people onto buses.
A special bench of the Supreme Court ordered that peaceful, unarmed protesters in Delhi could not be detained except by lawful procedure, also directing that metro, railway and internet services operate normally and that restrictions around court complexes be lifted. Nevertheless, Delhi Police on Sunday continued to arrest demonstrators near Connaught Place as groups returned to press for chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, loading roughly 100 protesters onto two buses, among them CPI(M) figure John Brittas.
Brittas condemned the police actions as a breach of basic rules, citing the use of force and the hurried removal of individuals onto an aircraft. An anonymous detainee described being beaten while merely standing nearby. Police have registered more than 20 FIRs for attempts to hold the protest and for alleged assaults on officers, claiming the gatherings threatened law and order. Legal affairs head Ratna Singh warned that the need to approach the Supreme Court highlights an infringement of fundamental rights.
Why it matters
The incident highlights a clash between law enforcement and the judiciary over the right to protest in India's capital.
How the sides frame it
MODERATE AGREEMENTLeft-leaning coverage frames the police detentions as a clear breach of a Supreme Court order and highlights alleged use of force, while centrist coverage focuses on video evidence of an alleged assault on MP John Brittas and his heated exchange with police.
LEFT
Police actions are portrayed as violating the Supreme Court’s directive and involving unlawful force against peaceful protesters.
CENTER
The incident is presented through a video claim of assault on MP John Brittas and his confrontational interaction with police, with uncertainty about exact timing.
The left emphasises
- A Supreme Court bench ordered that peaceful, unarmed protesters could not be detained except by lawful procedure.
- Delhi Police continued to arrest demonstrators despite that order.
- Reports of force, including an anonymous detainee saying they were beaten.
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