Police brutality during Delhi protest: Committee formed to conduct comprehensive investigation

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court formed a five-member committee to investigate the brutality unleashed on students by Delhi Police during the CJP protest. The committee will investigate the action taken against the Gen Z protest at Jantar Mantar and in various parts of the country. Former Supreme Court judge R. Subhash Reddy is the chairman.

The allegations of sexual harassment by the students at the hands of the police and the use of pellet guns should be investigated first. The complainants can hand over evidence. The bench comprising Chief Justice Suryakant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana also directed that the interim report be submitted as soon as possible. The matter will be considered again on September 10.

Were the police wearing uniforms? Were the fundamental rights of the protesters affected? Were the injured people provided medical assistance? The possibility of providing compensation should be examined.

It was also ordered to submit suggestions on controlling the arbitrary use of prohibitory orders and preventing the use of provisions of the Indian Penal Code to suppress political dissent.

The committee members are former Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court Ravi Shankar Jha, former Judge of Delhi High Court Shalindar Kaur, former Director of CBI Rishi Kumar Shukla, and former DGP of Meghalaya L.R. Bishnoi.

The committee will also look into complaints that protesters attacked the police. Destruction of public property and injuries to police personnel should be investigated. CCTV-drone footage, wireless records, and control room call logs should be handed over. The formation of the committee is not an obstacle to taking disciplinary action against the guilty officers.