93 ex-civil servants write to PM Modi, seek judicial probe into police action on student protesters

A group of 93 retired civil servants has written an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, calling for an independent judicial inquiry into the police action against student protesters during the July 20 ‘Sansad Chalo’ march in New Delhi.

The signatories, who are part of the Constitutional Conduct Group (CCG), said they were “deeply shocked and greatly anguished” by the events that unfolded during and after the protest, which was organised to demand reforms in the examination system and accountability over alleged paper leaks.

Retired officials seek judicial inquiry

In the letter, the former bureaucrats condemned what they described as excessive use of force against demonstrators and urged the government to ensure accountability.

According to the CCG, reports and visuals from the protest indicate that Delhi Police and Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel used force that allegedly resulted in injuries to several protesters.

The letter also referred to visuals showing police personnel and individuals in civilian clothing allegedly using force against demonstrators.

The retired officials argued that the right to peaceful protest is protected under Article 19 of the Constitution and stressed that students had gathered to raise concerns over repeated examination irregularities and the future of the country’s education system.

Concerns over surveillance and crowd management

The CCG also expressed concern over the reported deployment of Facial Recognition Vans, alleging that their use during the demonstrations could raise questions regarding citizens’ right to privacy.

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The group further criticised the crowd management arrangements, claiming that inadequate planning created conditions resembling a stampede as thousands of people gathered for the march.

Among the demands made by the retired civil servants are:

• An independent judicial inquiry into the police action.
• Release of detained students.
• Withdrawal of police cases registered against protesters.
• Structured dialogue with student representatives on examination reforms.
• A review of existing crowd management protocols.

Government announces steps on examination reforms

The letter comes a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the creation of fast-track courts to ensure quicker trials in examination paper leak cases.

The Union Cabinet has also introduced a draft bill aimed at strengthening laws governing public competitive examinations and plugging legal loopholes related to paper leak offences.

In addition, the National Testing Agency (NTA) recently removed several officials as part of an administrative overhaul linked to alleged examination irregularities.

Talks held with protest leaders

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, including JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh, also held discussions with representatives of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) and social activist Sonam Wangchuk, who ended his 26-day hunger strike following the meeting.

While the talks were described as constructive, protesters at Jantar Mantar have maintained that demonstrations will continue until their principal demands—including accountability for the police action and broader reforms in the examination system—are addressed.

The latest intervention by the retired civil servants adds another significant voice to the ongoing national debate surrounding students’ rights, examination reforms and the handling of public protests.