The Supreme Court on Tuesday, 18 August announced its decision to constitute a high-powered fact-finding committee to examine CCTV footage of the student march from Jantar Mantar towards Parliament on 20 July and investigate allegations of police excesses against protesters demonstrating against the NEET paper leak and irregularities in other examinations. The bench, headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant, is hearing a batch of petitions related to student protests in Delhi and Bihar.

What the Committee Will Examine

The apex court sought suggestions from parties on suitable names — former judges, retired Directors General of Police, or ex-CBI directors — who could serve on the panel. The committee will be tasked with determining whether excessive force was deployed against students during the 20 July demonstration, which saw police use lathi charges and teargas to prevent a possible storming of Parliament.

The bench indicated that the committee may be required to submit periodic reports, enabling the court to issue necessary directions — particularly in light of allegations of sexual assault and online harassment of female protesters.

What the Court Said

'Whosoever is responsible, there can be no excuse and no justification. It must be taken seriously and taken to its logical conclusion. That is why we are constituting a high-powered committee. The committee will look into each and every aspect of these matters,' said the bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant.

The CJI also clarified that larger constitutional questions — including those related to facial recognition technology, surveillance, and privacy — will be decided by the Supreme Court itself and will not fall within the committee's remit. Petitioners are also likely to be given an opportunity to directly place their concerns before the high-powered panel.

FIRs Against Students Under Scrutiny

The bench indicated it would consider invoking its powers under Article 142 of the Constitution — which grants the Supreme Court extraordinary authority to do complete justice — to quash FIRs registered against students who have no prior criminal antecedents. Cases involving individuals with serious criminal records, however, are expected to be dealt with separately.

The apex court directed state governments to submit lists of FIRs in which only protesting students, without any criminal background, have been named. 'Their parents are spending their hard-earned money on their education. They have a future to live. They have legitimate expectations from the system,' the bench observed.

Background: The July 20 Clashes

The matter stems from clashes between agitators and police on 20 July, when demonstrators marched from Jantar Mantar towards Parliament. Police deployed lathi charges and teargas in response. In an earlier hearing, the Supreme Court had stated that the right to peaceful protest was 'absolutely guaranteed' and that a lathi charge cannot be justified merely because an agitation is under way. This is the latest in a series of judicial interventions over student-led protests that have intensified following the NEET paper leak controversy.

What Happens Next

The Supreme Court is expected to finalise the composition of the fact-finding committee in a subsequent hearing. State governments must submit their FIR lists as directed. The committee's periodic reports will guide the bench's future directions, and the court's eventual ruling on Article 142 could have significant implications for the dozens of students currently facing charges.