Police excesses during NEET stir: SC appoints 5-member panel to probe charges

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Aug 21, 2026: The Supreme Court has constituted a five-member high-powered committee headed by former top court judge Justice R Subhash Reddy to examine allegations of police excesses against student protesters during recent protests in Delhi, as well as allegations of violence against police personnel.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana said the committee would also include former Punjab and Haryana High Court Chief Justice Ravi Shankar Jha, former Delhi High Court judge Justice Shalinder Kaur, former CBI Director Rishi Kumar Shukla and retired Meghalaya DGP L R Bishnoi.

The bench said the High-Powered Enquiry Committee (HPEC) had been constituted considering the expertise, experience and diversity of its members, and expressed confidence that its recommendations would assist the court in assessing the issues involved.

The Supreme Court clarified that the committee’s inquiry would not be a one-time exercise. It directed the HPEC to conduct continuous and periodic assessments and submit interim findings to the court at regular intervals.

The court also identified certain issues that should be examined on priority, particularly allegations of targeted violence, harassment and molestation of women protesters.

The committee has also been asked to examine allegations of serious injuries caused to protesters by police and security personnel. It will look into the chain of command behind the alleged excesses, identify those responsible and determine whether existing laws, rules or norms were violated in the use of force.

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led march to Parliament on July 20 in Delhi witnessed clashes between protesters and security personnel. Police reportedly used batons and tear gas to disperse protesters attempting to move towards Parliament.