NEET protests: SC panel to probe police excesses

Meanwhile, the Economic Times daily newspaper is available online now.

Key points

• The Supreme Court on Thursday constituted a five-member High-Powered Enquiry Committee (HPEC), headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice R.
• The Supreme Court on Thursday constituted a five-member High-Powered Enquiry Committee headed by former judge R Subhash Reddy to investigate alleged police excesses during NEET protests.
• The Supreme Court had on Tuesday indicated that the proposed panel would include a former High Court judge and a retired DGP.
• NEET protests: SC constitutes 5-member panel headed by ex-judge R Subhash Reddy to probe police excesses.
• The Supreme Court additionally indicated that it may examine whether FIRs registered against student protesters in connection with demonstrations over examination paper leaks could be quashed.

NEET protests: SC constitutes 5-member panel headed by ex-judge R Subhash Reddy to probe police excesses. ET OnlineLast Updated: Aug 20, 2026, 05: 53: 00 PM IST.

For context, the Supreme Court on Thursday constituted a five-member High-Powered Enquiry Committee headed by former judge R Subhash Reddy to investigate alleged police excesses during NEET protests. The panel will examine claims involving pellet guns, electric batons, lathi charges, tear gas, violence against women, surveillance, crowd-control measures, medical aid and compensation.

For context, the Supreme Court on Thursday constituted a five-member High-Powered Enquiry Committee (HPEC), headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice R. Subhash Reddy, to investigate allegations of police excesses during student protests over alleged examination paper leaks, including the employ of pellet guns, electric batons, lathi charges and tear gas, violence against women protesters, surveillance and the proportionality of crowd-control measures. While considering claims by authorities of violence against police personnel and damage to public property.: No death during NEET paper leak agitation but numerous killed in protests under Congress rule: Kiren Rijiju, the committee will additionally examine allegations concerning medical assistance and compensation for victims.

In practice, the other members of the panel are former Punjab and Haryana High Court Chief Justice Ravi Shankar Jha, former Delhi High Court Judge Justice Shalinder Kaur, former CBI Director Rishi Kumar Shukla and retired Meghalaya Director General of Police Dr L.R. Bishnoi. Panel to examine force, surveillance and victim relief.

For context, the committee's mandate covers a broad range of allegations arising from student protests held in different parts of the country over alleged examination paper leaks. These include claims of excessive force by police, paramilitary forces and other security personnel, violence against security personnel and sexual harassment of women protesters. Live Events.

In practice, the Supreme Court had on Tuesday indicated that the proposed panel would include a former High Court judge and a retired DGP. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, remarked the consent of a former CBI Director and a former DGP, neither of whom was from any of the States involved in the matter, had been obtained. The court had remarked it would problem a formal order after considering all aspects concerning the committee's composition and functioning. The bench additionally stated questions involving facial recognition technology, surveillance, privacy and the fundamental right to life and personal liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution would ultimately have to be decided by the Supreme Court itself.: NEET security 'foolproof': Centre to SC; court seeks institutional reforms SC weighs FIR relief for protesting students.

Notably, the Supreme Court additionally indicated that it may examine whether FIRs registered against student protesters in connection with demonstrations over examination paper leaks could be quashed. While noting that cases involving individuals with serious criminal antecedents could be treated separately, the bench remarked it could consider using its extraordinary powers under Article 142 of the Constitution for this purpose. The bench emphasised the consequences criminal proceedings could have for young students, describing the matter as concerning "the life and future of innocent students". On July 20, thousands of students took part in a Parliament march organised by the CJP, demanding, among other measures, the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination paper leaks and broader reforms in the examination system. When protesters tried to move towards Parliament and breach police barricades in central Delhi, security personnel applied tear gas and lathi-charge to disperse them. Videos afterwards circulated on social media, purportedly showing protesters being manhandled by police personnel, prompting allegations of excessive force. The Delhi Police, nevertheless, defended its action, saying force was employed only after sections of the protesting crowd allegedly became violent and engaged in stone-pelting. (With inputs from ANI) Add Now!

NEET protestsSupreme Court police brutalitystudent protestsJustice R. Subhash Reddyexamination paper leaksviolence against women protesterspolice excesses investigationFIRs against studentsDelhi police protests.

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For now, NEET protests: SC panel to probe police excesses remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.