The Supreme Court announced on Tuesday its decision to form a high-powered committee to investigate allegations of police excesses during the recent NEET protests in Delhi. This panel will consist of retired judges, a former Director General of Police (DGP), a former CBI director, and other members.
Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana stated that they will finalize the order on Wednesday, following consultations regarding additional members suggested by involved parties. The committee aims to ensure an impartial examination of the incidents that unfolded during the protests.
The committee will review video footage and CCTV recordings from the violence that erupted during the Parliament march on July 20. This review aims to determine the nature and extent of the police actions against the student protesters, many of whom claim they faced undue aggression.
Furthermore, the panel will address the grievances of female protesters, who reported targeted attacks during the demonstrations. This highlights the court’s commitment to scrutinizing the impact of police actions on various groups within the student community.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta was tasked with providing the court with details of FIRs against student protesters, indicating potential quashing of these cases under Article 142 of the Constitution. The court emphasized the significance of students’ lives and futures, reinforcing their constitutional right to protest.
“It is the life of students that is at stake. They have a future ahead and the right to protest under Article 19,” stated the bench, underscoring the need for fair handling of these proceedings while opposing the notion of students needing to apologize for their protests.
During the proceedings, Mehta asserted that police had identified over 2,800 individuals with criminal backgrounds as those primarily responsible for the violence during the protest. This assertion raises questions about the accountability of law enforcement in distinguishing between genuine protesters and those with criminal intentions.
On August 3, the Supreme Court clarified that its earlier mention of “criminal antecedents” pertained exclusively to individuals involved in serious offences. This clarification came after the government indicated a willingness to drop charges against students without criminal backgrounds involved in the NEET examination paper leak protests.
The apex court previously noted that police brutality, such as lathi charges, cannot be justified amidst protests, staunchly defending the right to peaceful demonstrations as a cornerstone of democracy.
The protests on July 20 witnessed significant turmoil, with clashes reported between security forces and demonstrators. Police utilized lathis and teargas to disperse protestors attempting to breach security barriers towards the Parliament location.
