The Supreme Court has formed a five-member High-Powered Enquiry Committee (HPEC) to investigate allegations of the use of force by police, paramilitary forces and other security personnel against Cockroach Janata Party protesters at Jantar Mantar. Retired Supreme Court judge Justice R Subhash Reddy will head the committee.
Besides Justice Reddy, the committee will have former Punjab and Haryana High Court Chief Justice Ravi Shankar Jha, former Delhi High Court Justice Shalinder Kaur, former CBI Director Rishi Kumar Shukla and former Meghalaya DGP LR Bishnoi as its members.
Delhi Police said CJP’s Parliament march was illegal
Delhi Police told the Supreme Court during the August 18 hearing that the July 20 Parliament march was illegal and had not been permitted. Several history-sheeters had also joined the protest at Jantar Mantar.
The police said protesters broke barricades and clashed with personnel during the march, making the protest no longer peaceful. Force was used to control the situation, but the protesters were not subjected to excessive force.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Sachin Sharma filed an affidavit containing these details. It was submitted in response to petitions seeking a court-monitored probe into alleged police excesses.
CJP protest lasted 49 days, controversy escalated after July 20 police action
The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar began on June 20. A clash broke out between police and protesters during the July 20 ‘Parliament Chalo’ march. According to police, protesters pelted stones, while the CJP alleged that police used lathis and tear gas. Reports emerged that a large number of protesters and security personnel were injured in the police action.
