The petitioners have approached Chief Justice of India Surya Kant seeking a fresh composition of the HPEC. The committee was set up on 18 August 2026 to investigate the police response to student protests against alleged NEET‑UG paper‑leak allegations.
Key Developments
- The petitioners argue that the current HPEC lacks members with independent investigative experience and is too close to the Union Home Minister Amit Shah and other senior officials.
- They request that the committee be headed by a former Chief Justice of India and include a retired woman DGP and a former Attorney General to ensure impartiality.
- The petitioners seek a probe into the role of senior officials of the Delhi Police and the Rapid Action Force, including decisions on use of force, uniform policies, and alleged misconduct.
- The Supreme Court has assured that the HPEC will function under its supervision, but petitioners doubt the independence of non‑judicial members.
- Government’s Solicitor General Tushar Mehta rejected the petitioners’ concerns as unfounded.
Important Facts
The HPEC currently comprises former judges R. Subhash Reddy, Ravi Shankar Jha, Shalinder Kaur, former CBI Director Rishi Kumar Shukla, and retired DGP L.R. Bishnoi. Petitioners claim these members have long‑standing ties with the executive, creating a perception of bias. The committee’s mandate includes examining directives issued before 20 July 2026, the use of prohibited weapons, failure to wear uniforms or name tags, and alleged violations of women’s modesty.
Exam Relevance
This case touches upon several UPSC‑relevant themes: the constitutional right to peaceful protest (Article 19(1)(a)), the separation of powers between the judiciary and executive, the role of the Home Ministry in policing, and the mechanisms for accountability of security forces. Understanding the functioning of special enquiry committees and the legal safeguards for civil liberties is essential for GS‑2 (Polity) and GS‑4 (Ethics) papers.
Way Forward
To strengthen public confidence, the court may consider incorporating members with proven investigative expertise and civil‑rights backgrounds. Clear guidelines on the use of force, uniform compliance, and protection of women during crowd‑control should be codified. Continuous judicial oversight and transparent reporting can ensure that the enquiry remains independent of executive influence.