SC launches portal to log complaints, evidence of violence amid July protests at Jantar Mantar
'Priority will be given to matters pertaining to the use of pellet guns, targeted violence and harassment of female protestors, and excessive violence and destruction of property occasioned on either side,' an MHA statement said
'Priority will be given to matters pertaining to the use of pellet guns, targeted violence and harassment of female protestors, and excessive violence and destruction of property occasioned on either side,' an MHA statement said.
'Priority will be given to matters pertaining to the use of pellet guns, targeted violence and harassment of female protestors, and excessive violence and destruction of property occasioned on either side,' an MHA statement said.
'Priority will be given to matters pertaining to the use of pellet guns, targeted violence and harassment of female protestors, and excessive violence and destruction of property occasioned on either side,' an MHA statement said.
The High Powered Enquiry Committee (HPEC) of the Supreme Court has opened an online portal for people to upload complaints and representations linked to the July protests by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, and other places outside the capital.
The HPEC was created by the Supreme Court (http://hpec.nic.in) to examine all issues listed in paragraphs 12 and 13 of its August 18, 2026 order on the violent protests, as well as paragraph 5(i) of the apex court's September 10, 2026 order.
The paragraphs deal with the use of "excessive force and violence" against the protesters by police and other agencies, the destruction of property on both sides, and the alleged cases of harassment and molestation against female protesters.
"Priority will be given to matters pertaining to the use of pellet guns, targeted violence and harassment of female protestors, and excessive violence and destruction of property occasioned on either side,” the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said in a statement.
The MHA has also encouraged people to provide information or suggestions relating to the issues referred to the HPEC—via the new portal, physically at its Shiksha Sadan address (17, Rouse Avenue Institutional Area, New Delhi - 110002) between 2 PM and 4 PM daily, by post, or by email to hpec2026.enquiry@nic.in.
"The Portal is designed in such a manner as to enable due protection to vulnerable witnesses and also to keep the identities confidential and undisclosed, if so wished by the affected persons," the MHA statement added.
The alleged use of pellet guns by the CRPF's Rapid Action Force (RAF) against protesters in July spiralled into a major issue when the INDIA bloc raised it in the aftermath of the protests.
Other non-lethal deterrents that were allegedly used at the protests included tear gas, rubber bullets, and smoke grenades.
The Opposition and experts had termed these inappropriate for use against student protesters, and lashed out at Union Home Minister Amit Shah for using the controversial deterrents that led to many victims losing their eyesight when they were used in Jammu and Kashmir.
After the Opposition highlighted various cases of deterrent injuries and forced the Delhi Police to file an FIR in the case of one such victim, Sahil Lochab, the Supreme Court on August 18 constituted a five-member committee headed by former judge R. Subhash Reddy to independently probe allegations of violence during the July 20 student protests.