The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the high-powered enquiry committee (HPEC), examining complaints of police excesses and violence during the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) -led July protests at Jantar Mantar, to submit its fact-finding reports within a month, after the panel informed the court that its complaints portal became operational on October 14.
The five-member committee, formed in August under the chairmanship of former Supreme Court judge, justice (retd) R Subhash Reddy, informed the court in a confidential report that only a few complaints had been received on the portal, with no complainant appearing in person or approaching the committee through email. The court asked the petitioners to encourage victims and complainants to file their representations with the committee. At the same time, it clarified that the panel need not wait indefinitely for complaints. The protesters had demanded the resignation of then Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan . Besides justice Reddy, the HPEC comprises former Punjab and Haryana high court chief justice Ravi Shankar Jha, former Delhi high court judge Shalinder Kaur, former CBI director Rishi Kumar Shukla and former Meghalaya director general of police LR Bishnoi.
The court referred to its August 18 and September 10 orders, which had asked the committee to consider submitting reports on two priority issues: targeted violence, harassment and molestation of women protesters; and grievous harm and injuries allegedly caused to protesters by police and security personnel, including the need for interim compensation. The agitation was called off on July 25, following his resignation. The court also entertained a petition filed by families of more than 200 police personnel who were injured while on duty during the protests.
“Whatever information and material is submitted by the parties, including material submitted by petitioners on behalf of the victims, will be examined and considered,” the bench said. The court also said that since complainants were not required to disclose victims’ identities, petitioners could share with the HPEC material already submitted before the court, including copies of petitions and video clips attached to them.
The petitions before the top court include those filed by members of Parliament, former civil servants , public-spirited individuals and lawyers, who accused police of using excessive force against students and other protesters at Jantar Mantar.
