SC Orders Fast-Track Report on Delhi Protests Police Excesses
The Supreme Court has directed the High-Powered Committee to submit a fact-finding report on alleged police excesses during Delhi protests within a month.
The Supreme Court has stepped in to ensure that the investigation into alleged Delhi protests police excesses does not stall. On Thursday, the apex court directed the High-Powered Committee (HPC), which is tasked with probing these allegations, to submit its initial fact-finding report within a strict one-month deadline.
No More Delays for the HPC
A bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant made it clear that the committee cannot wait indefinitely for more complaints to trickle in before starting its work. The court emphasized that the panel should utilize the material already in its possession to move forward.
The bench instructed the HPC to:
- Proceed with existing evidence and documentation.
- Seek necessary responses from the relevant authorities.
- Begin submitting findings specifically on the two priority issues previously identified by the court.
Bridging the Evidence Gap
During the proceedings, a concerning discrepancy came to light regarding the evidence available to the committee. While petitioners claimed to have submitted significant amounts of material, the court noted that the HPC had received very few complaints through its physical submissions or digital portal.
To bridge this gap, the Supreme Court has asked lawyers representing the petitioners and other concerned individuals to proactively forward any videos, complaints, or other evidence they hold to the committee.
Expanding the Scope of Evidence
The court further clarified that the committee must not be overly restrictive in how it accepts information. The bench ruled that material submitted by public-spirited individuals or lawyers on behalf of victims must be examined, even if the victims themselves have not directly approached the panel.
Status Reports vs. Actual Findings
The court expressed dissatisfaction with a submission made by the committee on October 31, observing that it was merely a status report. The bench pointed out that the document lacked any actual findings regarding the allegations of police misconduct.
Furthermore, the Supreme Court stated that the panel should generally share its relevant findings with the involved parties, unless there are exceptional reasons to keep the information confidential.
The matter is scheduled for another hearing in two weeks to monitor the progress of the investigation.