Advocate Deepika Singh Rajawat filed a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on June 17, 2024, against the Delhi Police, alleging excessive force against student protesters at Jantar Mantar on June 14, 2024. The complaint asserts that police used "brutality" and lathi-charge against students demonstrating against alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG 2024 examination results.

The incident occurred during a protest organized by students and various groups at Jantar Mantar, a designated protest site in New Delhi. The demonstrators were expressing grievances regarding the NEET-UG 2024 results, specifically pointing to alleged paper leaks, inflated scores, and grace marks awarded by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The complaint highlights concerns over the methods used by law enforcement to manage the protest, stating that the actions constituted a violation of human rights.

According to the complaint submitted to the NHRC, the protest, which was intended to be peaceful, was met with disproportionate force by police personnel. Specific allegations detailed in the complaint include:

  • The alleged use of lathi-charge on unarmed students, resulting in injuries to several individuals.
  • Claims that injured protesters were denied immediate medical assistance at the scene.
  • Allegations of arbitrary detention of multiple students, including minors, who were participating in the demonstration.
  • Claims that police personnel seized mobile phones from protesters, hindering their ability to document the events or contact legal aid.
  • The complaint states that the police actions were "inhuman, arbitrary, and illegal," causing physical and psychological trauma to the students involved.

The filing with the NHRC comes amidst widespread national concern and protests regarding the NEET-UG 2024 examination results, which were declared on June 4, 2024. Various student organizations and political entities have called for investigations into the examination process, with some cases reaching the Supreme Court of India. The National Testing Agency has faced scrutiny over the transparency and fairness of the examination process.

Advocate Rajawat's complaint requests the NHRC to initiate an independent inquiry into the alleged police misconduct. It seeks accountability for the officers responsible for the alleged use of excessive force and demands appropriate compensation for the students who sustained injuries or trauma. Furthermore, the complaint urges the NHRC to issue clear guidelines to prevent similar incidents of alleged police brutality during peaceful demonstrations in the future, emphasizing the fundamental right to protest peacefully.

The NHRC, a statutory body established under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, is mandated to inquire into violations of human rights or negligence in the prevention of such violations by a public servant. Upon receiving the complaint, the commission typically reviews the submitted evidence and may initiate an investigation, seek responses from the implicated authorities, or take other appropriate actions as per its mandate. This complaint adds to the ongoing dialogue surrounding police conduct during public protests and the rights of demonstrators in India. The outcome of the NHRC's review remains pending.