SC application seeks probe into Amit Shah’s role in police excesses against students

New Delhi: A fresh application has been filed before the Supreme Court seeking to expand the scope of the inquiry into alleged police excesses during protests held in Delhi and various parts of the country on July 20, to include the role of senior officials, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The application has also sought the reconstitution of the High-Powered Enquiry Committee (HPEC) constituted by the Supreme Court.

The application has been filed by Shailendra Mani Tripathi, seeking a broader mandate for the committee constituted by the Supreme Court to inquire into the alleged police excesses. The Supreme Court had constituted the High-Powered Inquiry Committee to investigate the role of police personnel in the alleged incidents of violence and excesses. However, the fresh application argues that the inquiry should not be confined to the role of police officers and should also examine the alleged involvement of senior authorities, including the Union Home Minister.

Apart from Amit Shah, the application seeks an investigation into the role of senior officials of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar, Special and Joint Commissioners of Delhi Police, and other senior officers, including RAF IG Seema Dhundia.

Application seeks CJI to head reconstituted panel

Another key demand in the application is the reconstitution of the High-Powered Enquiry Committee (HPEC) constituted by the Supreme Court. The application proposes that the committee should be headed by a former Chief Justice of India. It has suggested the names of former Chief Justices Justice U.U. Lalit, Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Bhushan Ramakrishna Gavai for consideration as chairperson of the committee.The application has also sought the inclusion of a retired woman Director General of Police (DGP) and a former Attorney General of India in the committee to ensure gender representation as well as legal expertise.

The matter was mentioned before the Chief Justice of India today. The CJI said that the application would be heard along with the main matter.