Supreme Court refuses to change Jantar Mantar lathicharge probe panel, orders strict pellet gun inquiry
Supreme Court retains the high-power committee probing the Jantar Mantar lathicharge and orders it to first examine pellet gun use and violence against women protesters.
The Supreme Court has issued several key directions on the direction of the probe into the lathicharge during the protest at Jantar Mantar. The court clearly refused to make any change to the High Power Enquiry Committee, or HPEC, set up to investigate the incidents during this protest by the Cockroach Janta Party. Some petitioners had demanded a change in the composition of the committee, but the apex court did not accept this demand.
The bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant issued the order after making strong observations on the brutal beating of male and female students and other young women. The court said the committee should first investigate the use of pellet guns during the protest, the targeting of women protesters and alleged mistreatment of them, excessive violence, and the damage to property on both sides.
The court also said the committee has not yet begun its investigation, so it would be premature to raise questions based on any assumption or pre-formed notion. The HPEC's job is to assist the court in a fair and transparent manner, and the committee has not been formed to benefit any one side.
The Supreme Court also directed the committee to provide protection to vulnerable or sensitive witnesses who come forward to testify, and to keep their identities confidential. It directed that witness statements and evidence submitted by them also be kept fully confidential. The court also suggested that a separate online portal be created for witnesses and other concerned parties so they can submit documents and evidence. The Supreme Court had announced the formation of this high-power committee last month.
Another petition filed in the matter raised the issue of the safety of a 14-year-old girl protester. The court was told that the girl and her family have allegedly been receiving death threats. The Supreme Court directed the Delhi Police to assess the threat and provide the girl and her family the necessary protection. The police were also directed to expedite the investigation against those making threats and harassing the family. The Delhi Police must submit a status report on this before the next hearing. The next hearing in the case will be held on October 9.
