The Supreme Court on Thursday constituted a five-member High-Powered Expert Committee (HPEC) to examine allegations of excessive and disproportionate use of force by the police, paramilitary forces, and other security personnel against peaceful protesters assembled at Jantar Mantar in Delhi and other states against the NEET paper leak.
Supreme Court Prioritizes Investigation into Protest-Related Harassment and Injuries
The Supreme Court has prioritized investigations into allegations of harassment and molestation involving female protesters. The court has ordered an inquiry into serious injuries sustained by protesters during police actions.
To support this investigation, the court mandated the preservation of all relevant evidence, including CCTV footage, drone recordings, body-cam footage, and PCR call records. This step aims to prevent tampering and ensure an accurate account of events.
The court clarified that any departmental action against police officers will not rely solely on the committee’s findings, allowing authorities to pursue independent actions against personnel if warranted.
Additionally, the inquiry will examine claims of excessive force used by police and security agencies against protesters. The court is also considering a system that requires police to wear uniforms with clear nameplates during arrests or crowd control to enhance accountability.
