New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday turned down a plea seeking the replacement of its High-Powered Enquiry Committee (HPEC) that is investigating allegations of violence during student demonstrations at Jantar Mantar on July 20. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalom Bagchi, and Justice V. Mohana observed that the committee had only recently been constituted and had barely begun its work, making any demand to swap its members premature.
The petitioners had raised concerns about the composition and alleged partiality of the five-member panel, which is probing claims that pellet guns were used against protesters during the sit-in. However, the Court dismissed these arguments, stating that the allegations levelled against the HPEC were purely speculative and lacked substantive basis.
During the proceedings, the bench emphasised that the enquiry committee was not formed to adjudicate between competing sides but to aid the Court in understanding the factual matrix of the incident with neutrality and transparency. "The committee has been constituted to assist this Court, not to favour any particular party," the judges observed.
The HPEC was set up following widespread reports of heavy-handed action by law enforcement during the student protests, which drew national attention and sparked debates over the right to protest and the use of force against demonstrators. The five-member body is expected to submit its findings to the Court in due course.
The matter was adjourned to August 18, when the committee is likely to present its preliminary observations or respond to further queries from the Bench. Legal observers say the Court's firm response to the substitution plea signals its confidence in the enquiry mechanism and its desire to avoid procedural delays in a case of significant public interest.
