Supreme Court forms panel to probe Jantar Mantar police action

The Supreme Court has established a High Powered Expert Committee (HPEC) comprising five members to conduct an independent inquiry into the police conduct during the Jantar Mantar protest. The move comes in response to multiple allegations of misconduct by law enforcement personnel during the demonstration.

Among the key concerns flagged before the court were reports of plainclothes police officers engaging with protesters, the use of pellet guns by uniformed personnel, and claims of harassment and violence directed at female demonstrators. The court has tasked the committee with conducting a thorough and impartial investigation into these allegations.

The formation of the expert committee reflects growing judicial scrutiny of police tactics employed during public protests. The panel is expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident, interview affected parties, and review available evidence to determine whether excessive or disproportionate force was used.

This development underscores the apex court's commitment to ensuring accountability in law enforcement and protecting citizens' constitutional rights to peaceful assembly and protest. The committee's findings are likely to have implications for police protocols governing crowd management and the use of non-lethal weapons during demonstrations.