The Supreme Court on Thursday, 5 November 2026, directed the High-Powered Enquiry Committee (HPEC) — constituted to probe allegations of police excesses during the July 20 student protests in New Delhi — to submit its fact-finding report within one month. The order came after the five-member panel submitted a sealed-cover status report to the court, which the bench clarified contained no findings as yet.

What the Court Directed

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi reviewed the status report submitted by the HPEC on 31 October. The court noted that the report merely outlined progress and carried no conclusions on the allegations under investigation. The bench instructed the committee to examine all documents, video recordings, and other material already before it — including evidence submitted by petitioners on behalf of affected persons — and to seek responses from the relevant authorities.

Crucially, the court said the panel should not limit its inquiry to formal complaints received through the designated portal alone, but must also consider representations and evidence furnished through lawyers and other intermediaries. 'Whatever material has come, the committee need not wait indefinitely. Based on that, we would like the committee to give a fact-finding report,' the bench stated.

Low Complaint Turnout Despite Outreach Efforts

The bench was informed that despite publicising the complaint mechanism through print and electronic media and issuing notices to protestors, the response had been sparse. Only a handful of representations were received through the dedicated portal; none arrived via email, post, or in person. Only one complainant appeared before the HPEC on 29 October and submitted an affidavit. Some police personnel had also appeared before the panel. The court concluded that the committee should proceed on the basis of available material rather than await further submissions indefinitely.

Key Personnel Change and Central Government Role

The bench formally recorded the resignation of retired Meghalaya Director General of Police Dr L.R. Bishnoi from the HPEC. The court also directed the Centre to file a detailed affidavit in the matter. The next hearing has been scheduled for 2 December.

Background: The July 20 Protests and HPEC's Mandate

The Supreme Court had constituted the HPEC on 18 August to investigate allegations of excessive force deployed during a students' march from Jantar Mantar towards Parliament on 20 July. The panel is chaired by retired Supreme Court judge Justice R. Subhash Reddy and includes former Punjab and Haryana High Court Chief Justice Ravi Shankar Jha, former Delhi High Court judge Justice Shalinder Kaur, and former CBI Director Rishi Kumar Shukla.

The HPEC was tasked with examining allegations covering the use of pellet guns, electric batons, lathi charges and tear gas, as well as alleged targeted violence and harassment of women protestors, and damage to property by both sides. The court had separately directed police authorities, paramilitary forces, and other investigating agencies to preserve and provide CCTV footage, drone recordings, body-worn camera footage, wireless communication records, and PCR call logs related to the protests. The matter will next be heard on 2 December, by which time the Centre's affidavit and the HPEC's completed report are expected to be before the bench.