Armyman claims OROP protesters assaulted by cops, demands probe

NEW DELHI: A retired armyman today moved the Delhi High Court seeking direction for a judicial enquiry into alleged atrocities by Delhi Police on peaceful protesters demanding One Rank, One Pension ( OROP).

75-year-old former sepoy Bisamber, in a public interest litigation before a bench headed by Chief Justice G Rohini, stated that on August 14, police officials while "mercilessly removing retired war veterans had beaten up the petitioner and removed the medals worn on his shirt by tearing it".

The armyman sought direction to Ministry of Home Affairs and Delhi police Commissioner to take "strict action against police officers who ordered to use brutal and illegal force against the war veterans and ex-servicemen".

He also said the police had harmed the dignity of the soldiers in the country and violated human rights thus affecting their liberty, equality and dignity.

He also sought compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the "ghastly act" committed by the police as it affected the morale and dignity of all serving the forces and humiliating the ex-servicemen.

The plea stated that the action of the cops indicate blatant and flagrant violation of the fundamental rights of life and liberty guaranteed under Article 21 as well as Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.

In a shocking turn of events that mounted further pressure on the Modi government to deliver on its promises, agitating ex-servicemen demanding implementation of the OROP scheme were allegedly manhandled by the police when they tried to evict them on security grounds from Jantar Mantar area ahead of the Independence Day celebrations.

Terming the police action as barbaric and undemocratic, the ex-servicemen, who have been on protest for several weeks, wondered how they could be a security threat when they had dedicated their lives to protecting the country while in service.