NEET Protests: Supreme Court Notes "Very Few Complaints" Recieved By HPEC Alleging Police Brutality

The Supreme Court today noted that the High Powered Enquiry Committee (HPEC) constituted by it to undertake an independent and impartial investigation into the alleged acts of violence during the NEET Paper Leak protests reported that “very few complaints” were received. 

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant read out the Action Taken Report issued on October 31 as it heard the petitions pertaining to the July protests. While asking the committee that material submitted by petitioners on behalf of victims must also be examined, it has directed the HPEC to submit its first fact-finding report within one month.

"We have clarified that information and material submitted by parties, including material submitted on behalf of victims, will be examined and considered. There are two issues which have been prioritised, besides other issues referred to the committee. The committee need not wait indefinitely," the bench noted in its order.

In September, Court had refused to alter the constitution of the High-Powered Enquiry Committee. Expressing strong views against the request made before it, the CJI Surya Kant led bench said, "we are not inclined to effect any alteration in the constitution of the Committee, particularly where the prayer for such reconstitution proceeds on nothing more than conjecture and preconceived notions, articulated even before the HPEC has embarked upon its enquiry. It must be understood by one and all that the HPEC has been constituted to assist this Court with the highest standards of fairness and transparency and with a dispassionate approach. The HPEC is not created to espouse the causes of one or the other party before us."

The court had constituted the High-Powered Enquiry Committee(HPEC) headed by Justice (Retd.) R. Subhash Reddy, Former Judge of the Supreme Court of India. The HPEC also consists of Justice Ravi Shankar Jha, Former Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court; Mrs. Justice Shalinder Kaur, Former Judge of the Delhi High Court; Rishi Kumar Shukla, Former Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation and Dr. L.R. Bishnoi, Retired Director General of Police, Meghalaya as Members.

The top court has clarified that the enquiry undertaken by the HPEC shall not be a one-time exercise rather, the Committee shall undertake a continuous and periodic assessment of the issues enumerated hereinabove, and shall submit its interim findings periodically so as to enable this Court to take appropriate measures and issue such directions as may be warranted.

CJI Surya Kant led bench had recommended that the HPEC address certain issues on a priority basis, foremost amongst which is the matter relating to the alleged incidents of targeted violence, harassment, and molestation of female protestors. Similarly, the HPEC may also assess the grievous harm and injury allegedly caused to protestors by police authorities and security personnel, and investigate aspects such as the chain of command resulting in such excesses, those responsible for such actions and whether there were any breaches of any of the existing laws, rules or norms in exercising such force. Additionally, the HPEC may also examine issues pertaining to the grant of interim compensation to those injured on either side, whether police personnel or protestors.

Notably, the court has been hearing the NEET protest case for few month now and had recently directed allowed State governments to withdraw FIRs registered against the protestors involved in the recent protests that happened in various parts of the country over the NEET paper leak. 

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta had informed the CJI Surya Kant led bench that the government was committed to all the three assurances made by the Centre after a meeting was held between the government and the leaders of the protest. Notably the three assurances were, firstly, that Centre will not pursue the FIRs filed against the protestors from July 20-25, secondly, no future FIRs will be filed and lastly, the government would pay compensation to those unfortunate students who committed suicide.

For Delhi Police, the court was further informed that regarding persons with criminal antecedents, who may have caused destruction of public property, 2873 individuals having serious criminal antecedents as per NCRB database were prima facie reported to be at protest site. The SG added that fresh FIRs would be registered against these individuals, not for being part of protest but other offences.

Case Title: SHAILENDRA MANI TRIPATHI vs UNION OF INDIA & ORS.

Hearing Date: November 5, 2026

Bench: CJI Kant, Justice Bagchi