New Delhi, 20 August 2026: The Supreme Court has constituted a five-member high-level inquiry committee to conduct an impartial investigation into the allegations of excessive use of force by the police, paramilitary forces and security personnel during various protests in the country. Former Supreme Court judge Justice R. is the chairman of this important committee. Subhash Reddy has been appointed.
This high-level committee of five members includes Chairman Justice R. Apart from Subhash Reddy, former Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court Ravi Shankar Jha and former judge of Delhi High Court Justice Shalindar Kaur are included. Apart from this, former Director of Central Bureau of Investigation Rishi Kumar Shukla and retired Director General of Police (DGP) of Meghalaya, Dr. L.R. Bishnoi will also serve as a member of this committee. This committee will thoroughly investigate all serious allegations related to the alleged excessive use of pellet guns, electric batons, lathi charge and tear gas against the protesters. Along with this, the issues of alleged violence against women protesters and police detention will also remain within the scope of this investigation.
The committee will also examine whether the measures taken by the security forces were appropriate according to the gravity of the situation. During this period, the aspects of medical aid given to the injured and compensation to be paid to the victims will also be reviewed. This committee will not be limited to the complaints of the protesters only, but will also equally consider the allegations of attacks on policemen and damage to public property during the protests. Thus, this committee will ensure an impartial investigation into the role and actions of both the parties during the protests.