Supreme Court declines to reshuffle panel probing police excesses in Delhi protest

A three-judge Supreme Court bench, including Chief Justice Surya Kant, refused to reconstitute the High-Powered Enquiry Committee tasked with probing police excesses against student protesters during the Cockroach Janta Party march in Delhi. The court held that the petition to alter the panel was based on conjecture and pre-conceived notions, emphasizing the committee’s mandate to operate with fairness and neutrality. It directed the committee to proceed with its investigation into pellet-gun usage, targeted violence, harassment of female demonstrators and property destruction by both sides.

The bench stressed the need to protect vulnerable witnesses, keep their identities confidential, and consider an online portal for evidence submission. Senior Advocate Monika Gusain and advocate C Solomon were appointed to assist the committee as independent arbiters, and the court urged the prompt appointment of a member secretary for logistical support. Earlier arguments cited a former DGP’s alleged conflict of interest, which Solicitor General Tushar Mehta dismissed.