India, April 24 -- New Delhi

The Delhi High Court on Thursday criticised the Delhi Police over the manner in which it allegedly detained 10 activists last month and indicated that it may refer the matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

A bench of justices Navin Chawla and Ravinder Dudeja, noting that the activists had levelled serious allegations of torture during their detention, asked the police to produce records demonstrating that the detention was carried out lawfully. The court emphasised that even in cases involving grave allegations, including a suspected terrorist angle, due procedure must be followed and torture cannot be used as a means of interrogation.

"Law prescribes a procedure, and you have to prescribe a ...