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The court will finalise the panel after considering submissions from the parties on its proposed scope and responsibilities.
Visuals from CJP’s protest at Jantar Mantar. (Source: PTI)
The Supreme Court is likely to give details of the composition, mandate and functioning of a high-powered committee on Wednesday to examine allegations of police action against students who took part in protests over alleged examination paper leaks, including the July demonstrations at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, Times Now reported.
The court had on Tuesday decided to set up the panel under the chairmanship of a former Supreme Court judge. It will also include a former High Court judge and a retired Director General of Police.
The bench, comprising CJI Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, said the consent of a former CBI Director and a former DGP, neither belonging to the States connected with the matter, had been secured.
The court will finalise the panel after considering submissions from the parties on its proposed scope and responsibilities.
What Will The Committee Investigate?
The committee is likely to look into allegations of excessive police action, violence involving protesters and security personnel, and complaints of sexual harassment of women demonstrators during student protests held at different locations.
The court also said the panel would be able to flag matters requiring immediate attention instead of waiting for its entire inquiry to conclude. Interim reports could be submitted in cases where urgent intervention is considered necessary.
Also Read: SC Shields NEET Protesters From Coercive Action, Orders Release Of Those Without Criminal Records
However, the bench made clear that certain questions would continue to be decided by the Supreme Court itself. These include issues involving facial recognition systems, surveillance, privacy and the protection of life and personal liberty guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution.
The court is also examining whether FIRs lodged against students in connection with the protests can be quashed. States have been asked to identify cases involving students and protesters where there are no allegations of other serious criminal offences.
The bench indicated that it could invoke its powers under Article 142 to bring such proceedings to an end, while distinguishing cases involving people with serious criminal antecedents.
Emphasising the potential consequences of criminal cases on young people, the court observed that the matter concerned “the life and future of innocent students”.
Police Action During NEET Protests
The proceedings stem from a series of student demonstrations over alleged NEET and other examination paper leaks. In Delhi, the protests included a hunger strike and a subsequent march towards Parliament organised by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP).
On July 20, thousands of students joined the Parliament march, among other demands seeking the resignation of the then Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and changes to the examination system.
The situation escalated when protesters attempted to move past police barricades in central Delhi. Police used tear gas and lathis to disperse the crowd. Footage that later emerged on social media showed police personnel allegedly manhandling some protesters, prompting accusations of excessive force.
The Delhi Police has defended the operation, saying officers resorted to force after some protesters allegedly became violent and pelted security personnel with stones.
The proposed panel will now independently examine the circumstances surrounding the protests and the allegations levelled against the police. The Supreme Court is expected to lay down the committee’s precise mandate and working mechanism in its Wednesday order.
With inputs from ANI
Key Questions Answered
Ask News18The high-powered committee will examine allegations of excessive police action, violence involving protesters and security personnel, and complaints of sexual harassment of women demonstrators during student protests. It will also be able to flag matters requiring immediate attention.
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Delhi, India, India
August 19, 2026, 09:44 IST
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