New Delhi, July 28 (KNS): Senior advocate Ashok Bhan on Tuesday welcomed the Supreme Court's order on the recent student protests, describing it as a reaffirmation of the Constitution's commitment to protecting civil liberties, the rule of law and democratic accountability.
In a statement, Bhan said the order passed by a bench headed by the Chief Justice of India underscored the judiciary's resolve to ensure a fair, impartial and independent investigation into allegations of injuries suffered by both students and police personnel during the nationwide protests.
He said the court's indication that it may constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the leadership of a former Supreme Court judge reflected the seriousness with which it viewed the issues raised before it.
Bhan also welcomed the court's interim directions for preserving CCTV footage, drone recordings, body-worn camera footage, wireless communications and Police Control Room (PCR) logs, saying the measures would safeguard the integrity of evidence and strengthen public confidence in a transparent judicial process.
"The truth will emerge through a transparent judicial process rather than through competing narratives," he said.
The senior advocate further said the court's directions protecting the privacy of student protesters, preventing disclosure of their personal data, ordering the release of students without criminal antecedents and restraining coercive action against peaceful protesters were firmly rooted in the constitutional guarantees of dignity, liberty, privacy and freedom of expression.
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According to Bhan, the safeguards reinforced the principle that peaceful democratic dissent was an essential feature of India's constitutional democracy and that the rights of young citizens deserved vigilant judicial protection.
Describing the order as a "powerful reminder" of the Supreme Court's role, Bhan said the majesty of the apex court lay not only in its constitutional authority but also in its commitment to uphold justice without fear or favour.
"At a time when students across the country have sought to voice their concerns through democratic means, the Court has reaffirmed that constitutional remedies remain available to every citizen," he said.
The order, he added, would strengthen public faith in the judiciary as the ultimate guardian of fundamental rights and the institution entrusted with preserving the constitutional balance between state authority and individual liberty.(KNS)