Supreme Court panel to hold hearings on Jantar Mantar protest violence

The Supreme Court-appointed High Powered Enquiry Committee (HPEC) will hold a two-day hearing on October 29 and 30 to investigate alleged violence during the July Jantar Mantar protests. The proceedings will take place at the committee's office in the Rouse Avenue Institutional Area in New Delhi.

Chaired by retired Supreme Court judge Justice R Subhash Reddy, the five-member panel is examining allegations regarding the use of pellet guns, the harassment of female protesters, excessive force, and property damage. The investigation follows petitions alleging police misconduct against student protesters during an agitation led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), as well as counter-allegations of violence against police personnel.

To facilitate participation and protect vulnerable witnesses, the committee has launched an online portal (hpec.nic.in) for submitting statements and documentary evidence. Members of the public affected by the violence may also submit complaints in person between 11:30 am and 3 pm on the scheduled dates, provided they present valid identification.