Politics · India Bureau
Supreme Court directs panel to prioritise sexual assault complaints from NEET protests
India's Supreme Court has instructed a high-powered inquiry committee to give priority to examining allegations of sexual assault against women protesters during July demonstrations against the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test. The directive came after senior advocate submissions urged the court to establish a dedicated mechanism for victims to lodge complaints.
LSN India ·
A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant, alongside Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, issued the clarification on Monday while hearing submissions on police conduct during the NEET agitation. The High-Powered Enquiry Committee, constituted to investigate allegations of police violence during the protests, has been specifically instructed to examine complaints of sexual assault and molestation experienced by women demonstrators.
Senior advocate Shobha Gupta petitioned the bench to take suo motu cognisance of the allegations stemming from the July 20 protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. She further urged the court to establish a formal mechanism enabling alleged victims to directly submit their complaints for examination by the inquiry panel.
The Chief Justice confirmed that the High-Powered Enquiry Committee would handle sexual assault complaints on a priority basis. According to an order passed the previous week, the committee has been instructed to examine these allegations with priority and immediately submit an interim report to the court.
The development reflects growing attention to the treatment of women protesters during the demonstrations, which saw sustained agitation against the NEET examination system earlier this summer.