Supreme Court directs panel to fast-track sexual assault complaints from NEET protests
The Supreme Court has directed the High-Powered Enquiry Committee (HPEC) to prioritise complaints of sexual assault against women protesters, a ruling that came during proceedings on Monday. The bench, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant and including Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, issued the directive after senior advocate Shobha Gupta appealed to the court to take suo motu cognisance of molestation and sexual assault allegations arising from the July 20 protest at Jantar Mantar.
The committee was established on August 20 under former Supreme Court judge Justice R Subhash Reddy to investigate allegations of police violence during the demonstrations. The protests, which ended on July 25 following the resignation of then Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, have drawn widespread attention to the treatment of protesters.
Gupta, representing the protesters, cited widely circulated social media reports of abuse, including an instance where a lathi was jabbed into a woman's buttocks. She requested that sexual assault cases be "taken up separately" and suggested creating a direct submission mechanism for victims.
"I am beseeching the court to take suo motu cognisance of these instances," Gupta stated. She proposed designating a district judge or officer and publicising an email ID to allow victims to submit complaints directly. "I request that the sexual assault cases be taken up on a priority basis," she added.
In response, the Chief Justice confirmed that the committee had been instructed to examine the matter "on a priority basis" and submit an interim report promptly. Justice Bagchi also noted that an independent writ petition had been filed on the matter, though details were not immediately available.
The HPEC has been tasked with investigating the broader allegations of police violence during the protests, which saw large numbers of students and others demonstrating against the NEET exam process. The committee's mandate includes examining whether excessive force was used against protesters, with a particular focus on the treatment of women.
The protests, which were marked by their intensity and the youth of many participants, have become a flashpoint in the national conversation about police conduct and the right to protest. The resignation of Mr Pradhan has been a key demand of the protesters, with many continuing to call for accountability even after the protests officially ended.