NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court Tuesday noted that a fair and independent probe into all allegations of “police excesses against protesting NEET students” was required. The top court’s observations come as the opposition continues to protest the use of pellet guns against demonstrators marching towards Parliament on July 20.“Whosoever committed excesses, took law in their hands should be taken to task”, the court ovserved as per news agency PTI, adding: “Once there is violation of defined protocol, law must take care of it.” The top court said a prima facie case had been made out for a transparent inquiry by a commission and added that the exercise should help frame a protocol for handling such situations in the future.The central govenrment also supported an independent probe, with solicitor general Tushar Mehta telling the court that, subject to the outcome of the inquiry, the government did not believe the protesting students were involved in the violence. He said the violence appeared to have been carried out by miscreants who had infiltrated the protest. The court observed that there was always a danger of attempts to discredit peaceful demonstrations.“Probe is also required to ascertain attacks on 250 policemen, whether it was by students or some miscreants,” the Supreme Court said. This is a developing copy…
