IndiaPosted at: Sep 16 2026 7:34PM


CJP protest: SC declines to reconstitute Justice Reddy-led panel probing July violence

Parmod Kumar
New Delhi, Sep 16 (UNI) The Supreme Court has declined to reconstitute the five-member High-Powered Enquiry Committee (HPEC) headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice R. Subhash Reddy, which was set up on August 18, 2026, to probe allegations of police excesses during the July 20 crackdown on student protesters at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and elsewhere in the country. The protesters, mobilised by the Cockroach Janata Party, were demanding the resignation of then Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged question-paper leaks in NEET and other examinations.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana rejected applications seeking reconstitution of the HPEC, holding that the objections raised against the committee rested on “conjecture and preconceived notions”.

The court said, “In the circumstances, we are not inclined to effect any alteration in the constitution of the Committee, particularly where the prayer for such reconstitution proceeds on nothing more than conjecture and preconceived notions, articulated even before the HPEC has embarked upon its enquiry.”

It further observed that aspersions had been cast on the HPEC in a manner that was “both premature and precipitate”, and stressed that the committee had been constituted to assist the court through a fair, transparent and dispassionate enquiry rather than to advance the case of either side.

“It must be understood by one and all that the HPEC has been constituted to assist this Court with the highest standards of fairness and transparency and with a dispassionate approach. The HPEC is not created to espouse the causes of one or the other party before us,” the order said.

Besides Justice Reddy, the committee comprises 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 former Meghalaya DGP L.R. Bishnoi.

The HPEC has been tasked with examining allegations of deployment of disproportionate police force, targeted violence and harassment of women protesters, injuries suffered by demonstrators, the chain of command behind any excesses, and possible violations of existing laws, rules or norms.

In its latest order, the court directed that the committee initially examine the alleged use of pellet guns, violence and harassment of women protesters, and excessive violence and destruction of property from either side. It said broader constitutional questions would be considered by the top court at an appropriate stage.

The bench also directed the HPEC to protect vulnerable witnesses and keep their identities, statements, and evidence confidential. It suggested the creation of an online portal for submission of documents and material, appointed senior advocate Dr Monika Gusain and advocate C. Solomon as amici curiae, and asked the HPEC to submit its first report at the earliest.

Separately, the court addressed concerns over the safety of a 14-year-old protester and her family after allegations of threats to their lives.

It directed the Delhi Police to assess the threat perception, provide necessary protection to the child and her family, and expeditiously investigate those allegedly responsible for threatening or harassing them.
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CJP protest: SC declines to reconstitute Justice Reddy-led panel probing July violence

16 Sep 2026 | 7:34 PM

Parmod Kumar
New Delhi, Sep 16 (UNI) The Supreme Court has declined to reconstitute the five-member High-Powered Enquiry Committee (HPEC) headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice R. Subhash Reddy, which was set up on August 18, 2026, to probe allegations of police excesses during the July 20 crackdown on student protesters at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and elsewhere in the country. The protesters, mobilised by the Cockroach Janata Party, were demanding the resignation of then Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged question-paper leaks in NEET and other examinations.

see more..