Delhi Police affidavit cites injury toll but sidesteps accountability questions

Delhi Police's affidavit submitted to the Supreme Court regarding violence during student protests on July 20 has laid out a detailed casualty count, with the force reporting that over 240 police personnel, including women officers, sustained injuries during the unrest.

According to the filing, approximately 218 protesters also suffered injuries and received medical treatment. The police maintained that their intervention was necessary to prevent demonstrators from causing damage to vital installations in the vicinity of Parliament.

While the affidavit provides specific numerical data on the human cost of the clashes, observers note it contains limited information addressing broader questions about institutional accountability and the circumstances that led to the confrontation. The submission focuses primarily on documenting the scale of injuries incurred by law enforcement personnel.

The development comes as the Supreme Court continues to examine cases related to the student protests, with various civil society groups having raised questions about police conduct and response protocols during the demonstration.