The Supreme Court on Tuesday said it would constitute a high-powered committee to conduct a fact-finding exercise into allegations of police excesses against student protesters during recent demonstrations in Delhi.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, said the committee would include retired judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts, a former Director General of Police and a former CBI Director.
Editorial Insight
Key Highlights
Important points readers should notice.
Supreme Court to constitute a high-powered fact-finding committee.
Panel to include retired Supreme Court and High Court judges.
A former DGP and ex-CBI Director will also be part of the committee.
Allegations against police and claims of violence against police will be examined.
Sexual assault and online harassment allegations involving female protesters will also be considered. CCTV and video footage from the July 20 Parliament march will be examined.
The court said the formal order constituting the committee would be released on Wednesday after suggestions are received from the parties regarding other members who could be included in the panel.
The committee will examine allegations relating to police action against student protesters as well as claims of violence against police personnel during the protests.
The Supreme Court also said the panel would look into allegations concerning sexual assault and online harassment of female protesters, along with alleged victimisation of other vulnerable individuals through social media. The bench further indicated that video footage and CCTV recordings related to the violence during the July 20 Parliament march in Delhi would be handed over to the committee for examination.
Editorial Analysis
Why This Matters
The Supreme Court's decision gives an independent fact-finding process to allegations involving both protesters and police. The inclusion of retired judges and senior former investigative and police officials indicates that the court wants the allegations examined through a structured process rather than relying solely on competing claims. For student protesters and other vulnerable participants, the committee's examination could provide an avenue for allegations of misconduct and harassment to be formally assessed.
The panel will be provided with the necessary facilities to carry out its fact-finding exercise, the court said.
The matter came before the Supreme Court through a batch of petitions alleging police excesses against student protesters during the agitation led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), alongside allegations of violence against police personnel.
