NEET protests: Panel to hear evidence on pellet gun use, harassment

A Supreme Court-appointed high-powered inquiry committee will hold hearings on October 29th and October 30th. It will record evidence on alleged police use, targeted violence and harassment of female protesters during the July 20th protests at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. The five-member panel, formed in August, will record testimonies from affected people and examine allegations of excessive force, targeted violence and property damage by both sides. The committee, headed by retired Supreme Court Judge Justice R. Subhash Reddy, was formed to investigate alleged police excesses against student protesters, alongside counter-allegations of violence against police personnel. Affected persons and members of the public can submit complaints and supporting evidence through the committee's online portal. The panel has also been directed to safeguard vulnerable witnesses and maintain the confidentiality of their identities and statements. The measure is aimed at encouraging victims and witnesses to come forward without fear of intimidation or retaliation.