The Supreme Court has ordered an independent investigation into allegations of excessive force used by police and security personnel during student protests at Jantar Mantar and other locations across the country.
A five-member High-Powered Enquiry Committee (HPEC) has been constituted to examine whether the force used against protesters was justified and proportionate to the situation.
Who Will Head The Supreme Court Panel?
The committee will be headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice R. Subhash Reddy.
The other members are:
- Justice Ravi Shankar Jha, former Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court
- Justice Shalinder Kaur, former Delhi High Court judge
- Rishi Kumar Shukla, former CBI Director
- Dr LR Bishnoi, retired Director General of Police of Meghalaya
The panel can also seek assistance from forensic and technical experts wherever required.
What Will The Committee Investigate?
The Supreme Court has given the committee a broad mandate. It will examine allegations that security forces used excessive measures while dealing with protesters.
The inquiry will look into allegations involving:
- Use of pellet guns
- Electric batons
- Lathi charges
- Tear gas
- Alleged mistreatment of women and children
- Police surveillance of protesters
- Whether the force used was proportionate
- Availability of medical assistance
- Compensation for people who may have been injured
The committee will also examine whether police personnel involved in crowd-control operations were wearing proper uniforms and identification badges.
Supreme Court To Examine Both Sides Of The Dispute
The inquiry will not be limited to allegations made by protesters.
Authorities have claimed that some people participating in the demonstrations had criminal backgrounds and that violence during the protests resulted in injuries to police personnel and damage to public property.
The committee will therefore also examine allegations of attacks on police officers, injuries suffered by security personnel and damage to public and private property.
Evidence From Police And Security Agencies To Be Preserved
The Supreme Court has directed concerned authorities to preserve all relevant evidence connected with the protests.
This includes CCTV recordings, drone footage, body-camera recordings, videos, wireless communication logs and PCR call records. These materials are to be made available to the inquiry committee.
The court has also made it clear that the committee’s investigation will not prevent authorities from taking departmental action against officers if separate proceedings establish misconduct.
Why Did The Supreme Court Order The Inquiry?
The matter came before the Supreme Court through petitions filed by Shailendra Mani Tripathi and others, who raised allegations of excessive force against protesters.
The court has now opted for an independent inquiry so that allegations involving both protesters and security personnel can be examined through the same process.
The committee is expected to submit an interim report to the Supreme Court, followed by periodic reports as the inquiry progresses.
The Supreme Court has listed the matter for its next hearing on September 10, 2026.
