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🇮🇳 India /Crime & Justice

Let July 20 probe into Delhi protest kick off: Supreme Court on plea to widen remit

From Hindustan Times · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • The Supreme Court has allowed a five-member inquiry committee to proceed with its investigation into allegations of excessive force during a July 20 protest in Delhi.
  • Petitioners sought to reconstitute the committee and broaden the probe to include allegations against Union Home Minister Amit Shah and other senior officials.
  • The court urged petitioners to let the committee begin its work and raise concerns as the inquiry progresses, emphasizing its direct supervision.

The Supreme Court has directed a five-member high-powered inquiry committee (HPEC), led by former judge Justice R. Subhash Reddy, to proceed with its independent investigation into allegations of excessive force during a July 20 protest in Delhi. This decision comes despite petitioners' requests to reconstitute the committee and expand the probe to include Union Home Minister Amit Shah and other senior government and police officials.

Whosoever will work, they will work under the direct supervision of this court. We have not disposed of the matter and will monitor everything

— Chief Justice of India Surya KantThe CJI's assurance to the petitioners regarding the court's oversight of the inquiry committee.

Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, representing the petitioners, mentioned an application seeking the committee's reconstitution before Chief Justice of India Surya Kant. The Chief Justice assured that the application would be listed and emphasized the court's ongoing monitoring of the matter. "Whosoever will work, they will work under the direct supervision of this court. We have not disposed of the matter and will monitor everything," the CJI stated.

The court encouraged the petitioners to allow the committee to commence its work and to present any concerns that arise during the inquiry. "Sometimes, we have to also work under some constraints like availability and other factors. You all are also there to assist the committee and can point out to us as and when there are concerns. Let them work and see how they perform," added the CJI.

Sometimes, we have to also work under some constraints like availability and other factors. You all are also there to assist the committee and can point out to us as and when there are concerns. Let them work and see how they perform

— Chief Justice of India Surya KantThe CJI's urging for the committee to begin its work while assuring petitioners they can raise concerns.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Delhi Police, opposed the petitioners' application, calling it "mischievous" and objecting to the naming of judges for the panel and the demand for a probe against ministers. Advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing another petitioner, acknowledged some "misgivings" among petitioners but affirmed their pursuit of a common cause. The application, filed by Shailendra Mani Tripathi, argues that the current HPEC lacks the necessary composition and expertise for an independent probe, proposing a committee headed by a retired Chief Justice of India with relevant expertise.

mischievous

— Tushar MehtaSolicitor General Tushar Mehta's description of the petitioners' application.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hindustan Times. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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