The Supreme Court and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) have sought the Centre and Delhi Government's response within two weeks on the circumstances that led to the police crackdown on Baba Ramdev's satyagraha camp on June 4 midnight.
Taking suo motu cognisance of the eviction of the yoga guru and his followers from Ramlila Grounds, the apex court issued notices to the Home Secretary, the Chief Secretary of Delhi, the Delhi Administration, and Delhi Police Commissioner. The matter will be heard again in mid- July. The NHRC said it was “pained to see media reports and complaints alleging unconstitutional police action.” Over 60 people, including the yoga guru's supporters and some policepersons, were injured when the police tried to evict them at midnight.
In a related development, the Anna Hazare-led civil society members on Monday boycotted the meeting of the Lokpal Bill Joint Drafting Committee. “Recent events don't inspire any confidence that the Government is serious enough about the Lokpal Bill. Further, what happened in the Ramlila Ground strengthened our doubts,” Mr Shanti Bhushan, Co-Chairperson of the panel, wrote to the Finance Minister, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, who is the joint Chairperson.
Meanwhile, the Government has toughened its stance. “We will go ahead with the drafting of the Bill, irrespective of whether anyone comes or not. The draft will be ready by June 30,” the Telecom and HRD Minister, Mr Kapil Sibal, told reporters.