Key Highlights

• A group of 93 retired civil servants has called for an independent judicial inquiry into the July 20 police action against student protesters in Delhi.
• The Constitutional Conduct Group alleged excessive use of force, including pellet guns, electric batons, tear gas and lathi charges.
• The group has demanded accountability, suspension of officers found responsible, and structured dialogue with student representatives.
• The letter has been addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena and the Delhi Police Commissioner.
• There has been no official response from the government to the group's allegations at the time of publication.

Retired Officials Demand Independent Judicial Probe

A group of 93 retired civil servants, operating under the banner of the Constitutional Conduct Group, has written to the country's top leadership seeking an independent judicial inquiry into the police action taken against student protesters in Delhi on July 20.

The letter alleges that law enforcement personnel used excessive force during the protests and calls for accountability, transparency and dialogue to address the concerns raised by students.

The communication has been addressed to:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi
• Union Home Minister Amit Shah
• Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena
• Delhi Police Commissioner S B K Singh

Allegations Made by the Constitutional Conduct Group

In their letter, the retired officials alleged that security personnel deployed during the protests used:

• Pellet guns
• Electric batons (tasers)
• Tear gas
• Lathi charges

They claimed these measures resulted in injuries to several protesters.

The group also alleged that some police and Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel without visible name tags, along with individuals in plain clothes, used disproportionate force against demonstrators.

These allegations have been made by the signatories to the letter and have not been independently verified. Delhi Police had not issued a detailed response to these specific claims at the time of publication.

Former Senior Officials Among the Signatories

The letter has been signed by several prominent retired public officials, including:

• Former Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung
• Former Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa
• Former Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon
• Former PMO official A. S. Dulat
• Former Punjab Director General of Police Julio Ribeiro
• Former IAS officer Harsh Mander

The signatories include retired officers from the IAS, IPS and IFS services.

Concerns Raised in the Letter

The retired officials raised several concerns regarding the handling of the protests.

According to the letter, they have sought:

• An independent judicial inquiry into the police action.
• Suspension and departmental action against officers found responsible for any excessive use of force.
• Medical treatment and compensation for injured protesters.
• Withdrawal of police cases where there is no credible evidence of violence.
• Structured dialogue with student representatives on examination reforms.
• A review of police crowd-management procedures and practices.

The group argued that democratic societies should prioritise engagement and dialogue over confrontation.

Allegations on Surveillance and Crowd Management

The letter also questioned several security measures allegedly adopted during the protests.

Among the issues raised were claims regarding:

• Deployment of Facial Recognition System (FRS) vans.
• Restrictions on internet access.
• Closure of shops and offices in parts of central Delhi.
• Extensive barricading around protest sites.

The retired officials argued that these measures, if implemented as alleged, raised concerns about civil liberties and the right to peaceful assembly.

No official findings have yet confirmed these allegations.

Right to Peaceful Protest

The Constitutional Conduct Group said students had taken to the streets because of concerns over examination-related issues, including alleged paper leaks and administrative shortcomings.

Referring to Article 19 of the Constitution, the signatories argued that peaceful protest is a fundamental democratic right and called for greater engagement with young citizens.

The letter stated that students should be met with dialogue and reforms rather than confrontation.

Government Response Awaited

At the time of publication, the Central Government and Delhi Police had not publicly responded to the specific demands made by the retired officials in their letter.

The broader investigation into the events surrounding the student protests and any subsequent legal proceedings continues.

Why the Letter Matters

The intervention by a large group of former senior civil servants adds a new dimension to the ongoing national debate surrounding the student protests and examination reforms.

While the allegations contained in the letter remain to be independently established, the signatories have called for an impartial judicial process to examine the events and determine accountability.

Whether the government orders such an inquiry remains to be seen.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who has demanded the judicial inquiry?

A group of 93 retired civil servants, operating as the Constitutional Conduct Group, has sought an independent judicial inquiry into the July 20 police action.

What are the main allegations?

The group alleges excessive use of force against protesters, including pellet guns, electric batons, tear gas and lathi charges. These allegations have not been independently verified.

Who received the letter?

The letter was addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena and Delhi Police Commissioner S B K Singh.

What has the group demanded?

The retired officials have sought a judicial inquiry, accountability for officers responsible, compensation for injured protesters, withdrawal of certain police cases, dialogue with students and reforms in crowd-management practices.

Has the government responded?

At the time of publication, there has been no official public response to the specific demands made in the letter.

Why is the issue significant?

The letter brings together former senior bureaucrats and police officials calling for an independent review of the police response, adding to the broader discussion on policing, protest rights and education reforms.