The Supreme Court dismissed an application seeking reconstitution of the High-Powered Enquiry Committee probing allegations of sexual assault, online harassment, and police misconduct during the NEET paper leak protests, terming the request premature.

The Court constituted a high-powered judicial committee, headed by Justice (Retd.) R. Subhash Reddy, to comprehensively investigate grievances, address allegations of sexual assault and online harassment against protesters, and evaluate police conduct during the NEET paper leak protests.

The Bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana observed, "Having perused the contents of the aforesaid application, we are constrained to observe, with some measure of disquiet, that aspersions have been cast upon the HPEC in a manner that is both premature and precipitate...In the circumstances, 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."


Senior Advocates Gopal Sankaranarayanan and N Hariharan appeared for the Petitioners, while Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appeared for the Respondents

The Court also observed that the HPEC was constituted to assist the Court with the highest standards of fairness and transparency and with a dispassionate approach. The HPEC was not created to espouse the causes of one or the other party before us.

The Members of the Committee are: i. Justice (Retd.) R. Subhash Reddy, Former Judge of the Supreme Court (Chairperson) ii. Justice Ravi Shankar Jha, Former Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court (Member) iii. Justice Shalinder Kaur, Former Judge of the Delhi High Court (Member) iv. Shri Rishi Kumar Shukla, Former Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (Member), and v. Dr. L.R. Bishnoi, Retired Director General of Police, Meghalaya (Member).

The Court had also quashed multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) registered in connection with the nationwide student and youth protests held between July 20, 2026, and July 25, 2026.

The Court directed, "At the risk of reiteration, we request that the HPEC may, in the first instance, proceed with its enquiry into the issues enumerated at items (i), (vi), and (vii) of paragraph 12, and item (iii) of paragraph 13 of our order dated 18.08.2026. This would include the issues pertaining to the use of pellet guns, the targeted violence and harassment of female protestors, as well as the issue of excessive violence and destruction of property occasioned on either side."

It was added that, with respect to the concerns voiced over the treatment of witnesses, and of those who may wish to come forward before the HPEC to furnish their account and voice their grievances, the HPEC was requested that such vulnerable witnesses be extended due protection and their identities be kept confidential and undisclosed.

"It goes without saying that utmost confidentiality shall be maintained in respect of any statements given or evidence submitted by such vulnerable witnesses to the HPEC. In furtherance thereof, a separate online portal may be created to facilitate such witnesses and other requisite stakeholders to submit their documents and evidence", the Court observed.

The Court also asked HPEC to appoint a Secretary to facilitate any such logistical or other secretarial assistance as the HPEC may require in the discharge of its functions.

In a specific writ petition, concerning a minor girl protestor, the Court directed the Delhi Police to assess the threat perception and provide the necessary protection to the said child and her family so as to secure her safety, and to expeditiously conduct an investigation against such anti-social elements who were allegedly threatening or harassing her and her family.

Saurav Das, co-convener of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), also appeared in person before the Supreme Court and submitted the withdrawal of the proposed September 5 protest march, citing the Central Government’s positive assurances and the court’s judicial oversight.

Recently, the Court refused to pass any immediate orders against a proposed social media-announced protest march by the Cockroach Janta Party ahead of the upcoming BRICS Summit and remarked that maintaining public order falls strictly within the domain of law enforcement agencies.

Earlier, on August 3, 2026, the Court clarified that the NCT of Delhi and state governments were at liberty to close or withdraw First Information Reports (FIRs) registered against candidates and citizens protesting. The Court also clarified that the word "criminal antecedents" in the previous order is to be read as grave and heinous offences.

The Court had issued interim directions prohibiting coercive action against students without criminal antecedents, ordering the immediate release of all detained minors, and mandating the preservation of all digital evidence and CCTV footage.

Cause Title: Shailendra Mani Tripathi v. Union of India & Ors.[W.P.(Crl.) No. 280/2026]

Appearances:

Petitioners: Senior Advocates Gopal Sankaranarayanan, Menaka Guruswamy, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Shoeb Alam, Shyam Divan, N. Hariharan, Advocate Vrinda Grover, Advocate Mandakini Singh, AOR Ashima Mandla and others.

Respondents: Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, ASG SV Raju, Advocate General S. D. Sanjay, Advocate General Alok Sangwan and others.

Click here to read/download the Order

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