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Some of the petitioners in the student protest violence matter have expressed reservations about the composition of the High-Powered Enquiry Committee constituted by the Supreme Court to probe the allegations of police excesses and vandalism by protesters.

Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, representing some of the petitioners, mentioned the matter before the Chief Justice of India seeking the listing of an application filed by them. Though Sankaranarayanan did not state what the application was about, Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta said that it was a "mischievous application." The SG said that the applicants were challenging the committee's composition, and had suggested some alternate names. "It's mischievous. Prayer is to reconstitute the committee and investigate this and that minister. This is not a political platform. They have given names of judges," SG said.

CJI Surya Kant then said, "We don't appreciate mentioning of judges' names." Sankaranarayanan said that he has not submitted anything regarding that, and assured that even if the application is listed, no names will be taken.

Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for another set of petitioners, backed Sankaranarayanan's application, saying that it reflected a "common concern of the petitioners." Bhushan said that the petitioners have "misgivings" about the committee. SG Mehta retorted that some parties have "perennial misgivings about everything".

The CJI said that the Court picked up the best available persons. Seeking to allay the apprehensions of the petitioners, the CJI said that the committee is working under the supervision of the Supreme Court with the assistance of all parties.

"Whoever will work, will work under our supervision. We have not disposed of the matter. All of you are there to assist the committee. Let them work and see," the CJI said, while agreeing to list the application.

On August 18, the Court ordered the constitution of a 5-member committee led by Justice R Subhash Reddy, former Supreme Court judge.  Its other members are former Punjab and Haryana High Court Chief Justice Ravi Shankar Jha, former Delhi High Court judge Justice Shalinder Kaur, former CBI Director Rishi Kumar Shukla and retired Meghalaya Director General of Police Dr. L.R. Bishnoi.

The Court passed the order in a batch of petitions seeking independent investigation into the allegations of disproportionate use of police force against protesters. While the committee has been asked to probe the allegations of violence from both sides - police and protesters - it has to take on priority the complaints of police excesses on protesters and sexual assault against female protesters.

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