Supreme Court rejects plea seeking free hand for Delhi Police to deal with protesters

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has rejected a plea seeking directions to give the Delhi Police a free hand to deal with protesters, observing that the future of young students and their families must be kept in mind while considering such matters.A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said many of the protesters were young and should not be unnecessarily entangled in prolonged court proceedings.“These are young students and protesters before us. We have to see their parents, we have to see they have a long life. [They should not be] entangled with court hearings etc.,” the CJI said.The court, however, clarified that its earlier orders protecting protesters did not extend to those alleged to be hardened criminals or accused of serious offences.