SC-Appointed Panel Launches Portal for Complaints and Evidence on Pellet Guns, Harassment of Women During July Protests

A high-powered enquiry committee appointed by the Supreme Court has opened an online portal inviting complaints, statements and evidence from people affected by the violence that took place during protests in July 2026. The portal, hpec.nic.in, was announced on Saturday, October 17, in a statement from the Union Home Ministry, and it marks the first concrete step in the committee's fact-finding work.

Why the Committee Was Formed

The five-member High Powered Enquiry Committee, chaired by retired Supreme Court judge Justice R Subhash Reddy, was constituted by the Supreme Court through an order dated August 18, 2026. Its task is to examine all aspects of the violence that occurred at Jantar Mantar in Delhi and at places outside the capital during protests in July, which were linked to alleged irregularities in examinations and were led by youth groups including the Cockroach Janta Party. The protests, particularly those of July 20, drew national attention after allegations that pellet guns, electric batons, lathi charges and tear gas were used against demonstrators.

What the Portal Offers

Through the portal, affected persons, witnesses and other stakeholders can submit complaints, representations, statements, documents and other relevant material by choosing the appropriate prescribed format. Police personnel who were affected by the violence are also included among those invited to come forward, which reflects the committee's mandate to look at excessive violence and destruction of property by either side. People who wish to provide information or suggestions on the issues referred to the committee under the two court orders can also use the portal. Submissions can be sent by post to the committee's address or by email to hpec2026.enquiry@nic.in.

Priority Areas

The official statement said priority will be given to certain categories of complaints. These include the use of pellet guns, targeted violence and harassment of female protesters, and excessive violence and destruction of property allegedly caused on either side. The Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant, while constituting the panel, had asked it to look into the use of excessive force by police authorities and other agencies, including the deployment of pellet guns, electric batons, lathi charges and tear gas without adequate warning or proportionality, resulting in serious bodily harm, some of it alleged to be grievous and lasting.

Safeguards for Vulnerable Witnesses

The portal has been designed to protect vulnerable witnesses and allows affected people to keep their identities confidential if they wish. Complaints and representations can even be submitted anonymously. The facility was developed in compliance with the Supreme Court's directions, which required a mechanism that would let witnesses come forward without fear of exposure. Women who say they were harassed during the protests, and injured protesters who may be wary of reprisals, are likely to be among the main users of this feature.

The Court's Position on the Panel

Earlier, the Supreme Court refused to reconstitute the committee after concerns about a possible conflict of interest were raised, and it directed that a confidential portal be created for vulnerable witnesses. The court has also made clear that while the committee will examine factual allegations and assist the court, the broader constitutional questions arising from the protests will be decided by the court itself. The bench has said there is no blanket ban on pellet guns, but it has opened scrutiny of the firing during the Delhi protest.

What Happens Next

With the portal now live, the committee can begin collecting material from both protesters and police. The strength of its findings will depend on how many people come forward and how thoroughly the submissions can be verified. Parties to the petitions before the court have also been allowed to approach the committee with documents and suggestions through its chairperson. For the families of those injured and for women who allege harassment, the inquiry is seen as an important opportunity to have their accounts placed on record.

This report is based on published news coverage and official statements. Allegations about the use of force have not been independently verified.