Retired judges, ex-top cops on SC panel to probe NEET stir police action, violence

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 LR Bishnoi. Widespread violence was reported during the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP)-led.

What began as a peaceful protest turned into a battleground, with students breaking through barricades and police resorting to lathi charges, tear gas and, in some instances, pellet guns to quell the protests. Several FIRs were registered at the Parliament Street and Connaught Place.

What Happened

The Supreme Court said the panel was constituted keeping in mind the expertise, experience and diversity of its members, and expressed confidence that its recommendations would assist the court in comprehensively assessing the issues. Importantly, the court clarified that the HPC's inquiry.

• Another area of scrutiny will be police monitoring and surveillance of protesters, including whether such measures complied with constitutional rights to privacy and peaceful assembly.

• The HPC will also examine whether police and security personnel wore proper uniforms and visible nameplates while making arrests or using force.

• It will assess whether police responses during protests, public gatherings and peaceful assemblies were proportionate and measured, and examine the desirability of banning metallic kinetic projectiles or pellets fired from pump-action or projectile-action guns.

Key Details

Among the specific issues before the committee are allegations of excessive force against protesters, including the use of pellet guns, electric batons, lathi charges and tear gas without adequate warning or proportionality.

• The panel will also examine allegations of grievous injuries and harm caused to protesters by police and security personnel, including the chain of command that led to such actions, those responsible and whether existing.

• The Supreme Court has asked the committee to prioritise allegations of targeted violence, harassment and molestation of female protesters, given the sensitivity of the issue.

• It will conduct a continuous and periodic assessment of the issues and submit interim findings to the court, enabling it to take appropriate measures and issue directions, if required.WHAT WILL THE HIGH-POWERED COMMITTEE PROBE?

What Reports Say

Coverage of the story so far points to:

• Continued reporting by India Today as more details emerge