On December 19 and 20, 2022, a peaceful protest was planned at Old Rajendra Nagar, Delhi, by student aspirants for the UPSC exams who protested demanding an additional attempt to appear in the civil services exam given the unprecedented times of Covid-19 in 2020 and 2021 as many students either lost a parent or both to Covid or themselves suffered from the COVID. During the protest, the Delhi Police lathi-charged and forcibly removed the protestors. The police claimed that the group had applied for permission, which was rejected. The students, however, stated that they had police support on the first day, but on the second day, the police prevented them from raising slogans, leading to the use of force. This appeal condemns the arbitrary lathi-charge and seeks NHRC intervention.

Article 19 (1) (b) of the Indian Constitution which guarantees the right to peacefully assemble was violated. Article 21 of the Indian Constitution that ensures to all its citizen right to life – a life to live without fear, intimidation, harassment, or mental torture was also violated. Unprovoked lathi-charge on unarmed protestors is a violation of the Articles 19 and 21 of the Indian Constitution. HRDA urgently appealed to NHRC to direct the Commissioner of Police, Delhi, to conduct an immediate, independent, and transparent investigation into the incident. Additionally, it calls for strict action against the police personnel involved in the lathi-charge and requests a detailed report within four weeks.