rediff.com
News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

Rediff.com  » News » Action on Ramdev supporters justified: Delhi Police
This article was first published 13 years ago

Action on Ramdev supporters justified: Delhi Police

Last updated on: June 17, 2011 14:14 IST

Image: File photo shows a policeman standing under an empty smoke-filled marquee after supporters of yoga guru Swami Ramdev were dispersed by teargas from the Ramlila grounds in New Delhi
Photographs: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

Delhi Police on Friday justified in the Supreme Court its midnight crackdown on yoga guru Baba Ramdev and his supporters protesting against corruption and black money at the Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi, saying permission had been given only to hold a yoga camp.

In its affidavit filed before the court, the police said that the congregation was allowed only for yoga camp and for no other purpose.

It further said permission was granted only for a gathering of 5,000 people but on the intervening night of June 4 and 5, more than 20,000 people had gathered at Ramlila ground.

...

Action on Ramdev supporters justified: Delhi Police


The police submitted in court that it resorted to lobbing tear gas shells only after followers of Ramdev started pelting stones at police personnel.

The response of the police came after the court took suo motu cognisance of the crack down.

The court had issued notices to the Union Home Secretary, Delhi Chief Secretary and the Delhi Police Commissioner, and had asked them to respond within two weeks about the circumstances that led to the operation.

Action on Ramdev supporters justified: Delhi Police


The police maintained no force was used against Ramdev's followers and also refuted allegations of lathicharge against them.

The apex court had expressed concern over the "police atrocities" and use of "brutal force" to disperse the "innocent" people gathered at the site.

The court had also taken note of articles and reports published in national dailies depicting the "sad state of affairs and brutality of the state in dealing with its innocent citizens".

© Copyright 2024 PTI. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of PTI content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent.