The Supreme Court announced on Tuesday its decision to form a high-powered committee to investigate allegations of police excesses during the NEET protest in Delhi. This committee will consist of retired judges, former police officials, and distinguished legal experts.
Chief Justice Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, outlined the court’s intentions to officially establish the committee by Wednesday. They plan to incorporate suggestions from various stakeholders regarding additional members of the panel.
As part of its proceedings, the Supreme Court will also mandate the submission of vital video footage and CCTV recordings that captured the events of violence during the July 20 Parliament march in Delhi. This material will facilitate a thorough examination by the committee.
Furthermore, the committee will investigate specific complaints, particularly those from female protesters who reportedly faced targeted aggression during the march. This angle has raised significant concern regarding the treatment of women in protests.
The bench directed Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to provide information on FIRs related to student protesters, suggesting that the court might implement its powers under Article 142 of the Constitution to quash these FIRs.
The court emphasized the critical nature of the situation, noting, “It is the life of students, which is at stake. We have to consider this. They have a future ahead. They have the right to protest under Article 19,” which guarantees freedom of speech and assembly.
In a previous hearing, Mehta revealed that police had identified over 2,800 individuals as “anti-social elements,” linking them to the unrest during the July 20 protest, leading to serious accusations against several protesters.
On August 3, the Supreme Court clarified its stance regarding the term “criminal antecedents.” They specified this only applied to persons involved in serious offenses, allowing states the discretion to withdraw FIRs for other students involved in the NEET protests, provided these students did not have past criminal records.
The court’s warning came following the Centre’s declaration that it would refrain from pursuing charges against students participating in the NEET paper leak protests, including those involved in the July 20 march, contingent on their legal background.
Throughout its observations, the Supreme Court maintained that police violence, such as the use of batons or tear gas, could not be justified merely as a response to public demonstration, reiterating that the right to peaceful protest is “absolutely guaranteed” under Indian law.
The July 20 protest, organized by the Cockroach Janta Party, escalated into clashes between security forces and demonstrators, who were attempting to approach Parliament. This marked a turbulent chapter in the ongoing debate over students’ rights and police conduct during civil unrest.
