Supreme Court Proposes Independent Inquiry into Police Conduct During Student Protests

The Supreme Court on Tuesday observed that it may constitute a high-powered investigating team to conduct a fair and independent inquiry into allegations of police conduct during a Parliament march on July 20 and subsequent student protests across the country. The Bench, headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, said the composition of the panel would be conveyed later and that the inquiry would cover incidents nationwide related to protests against paper leaks.

“The allegations made by the petitioners prima facie make out a case for an independent probe. There has to be a high-powered investigation team to look into these allegations of police violence. The issues have to be properly formulated, and the inquiry must be scientific and evidence-based,” the Chief Justice observed.

The Bench, also comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, directed police authorities to preserve all CCTV footage, drone footage, and camera recordings related to the student protests. It also directed all states to immediately release any protesters below 18 years of age who have been detained or arrested in connection with the protests.

The court highlighted the need for a uniform protocol to regulate police conduct during large-scale demonstrations, noting that existing guidelines require revision. “It was a completely peaceful protest, and such a protest is absolutely permissible. There is absolutely no doubt about that. There were protocols framed earlier, but with the passage of time they require suitable modification,” the Chief Justice said.

Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, representing petitioner Shailesh Mani Tripathi, submitted that the Delhi Police used disproportionate force during the July 20 march organised by a political party, the CJP. He claimed to have video evidence identifying specific personnel, including an Assistant Sub-Inspector who broke car windows. “These people behaved with a licence... We want responsibility placed above the ladder,” he said.

Senior advocate Shyam Divan presented photographs allegedly showing the use of pellet guns and violence by plainclothes police, calling the allegations “very, very serious”. He also cited reports of electric shock weapons being used on protesters and that the Rapid Action Force had admitted using projectile-action guns (PAGs) against unarmed protesters.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Delhi Police, stated he had no objection to an independent inquiry panel. He noted that several police personnel were allegedly injured by miscreants during the protests. “Some miscreants must have penetrated... No student would ever do that... It has to be a neutral investigating agency which can inspire confidence in all stakeholders,” he submitted.

The Bench impleaded the Chief Secretaries of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Kerala, and West Bengal as parties to the proceedings. The matter has been posted for further hearing on August 3, 2026.