Supreme Court Directive on Violence

August 21, 2026

Police forces attempted to control the thousands of students gathered at Jantar Mantar, marching toward Parliament over the paper leak issue. Subsequently, there was considerable political debate surrounding the violent behavior of students and police forces. Students alleged that the police used excessive force against them. Police, on the other hand, maintained that they exercised restraint and controlled the students, but some anti-social elements created a violent disturbance, injuring police personnel, forcing them to use mild force. Political parties raised the issue that the use of lathicharge, tear gas, and water cannons against students was unjustified. Even more horrific was the use of pellet guns, which seriously injured some students, and now FIRs are being filed against them in the name of investigation. Meanwhile, in Bihar, the use of AK-47s against students caused widespread uproar, even though no injuries were caused. On this issue, the Supreme Court on Tuesday announced that it was forming a high-level committee to investigate allegations of police excesses and violence against students in Delhi, to address the bitterness arising from these allegations, whether true or fictitious. This committee will consist of a retired judge, a Director General of Police (DGP), and a former Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The bench comprised Justices Surya Kant, Joymalya Bagchi, and V. Mohana. The bench ordered that after receiving suggestions from various parties regarding other members to be included in the committee, the order for its formation will be issued within a day. They will have all the necessary facilities to ascertain all the facts. They will listen to every victim who comes to them, and each will have a chance to present their case. We will await the committee’s recommendations and will not hesitate to take legal action after that. The Bihar government also acknowledged before the Supreme Court that AK-47 shots were fired after the student protest, but there were no casualties. The matter became one of police brutality and a riot by anti-social elements. The Supreme Court also announced that allegations of sexual harassment of female protesters and harassment of other protesters will be investigated. Justice Surya Kant stated that those responsible will not be spared. The recommendations will be taken seriously and the matter will be brought to its logical conclusion. The Honorable Court has taken serious cognizance of the complaints of the female protesters. Now, all video footage and CCTV recordings of the violence will be submitted to a highlevel committee. The bench also asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta for information about the FIRs filed against the student protesters. A government lawyer opposed the request and the dismissal of the cases, but the Supreme Court clearly stated that the students’ futures were at stake and that it must be considered. Mehta maintained that the crowd of students included hundreds of anti-social elements involved in serious crimes. Lawyers representing the affected students demanded that the investigation committee would monitor its actions and submit an accurate report. In our view, this is a commendable step by the Supreme Court. An impartial committee appointed by the court will investigate and submit its recommendations, after which legal action will proceed. The bench is highly respected in India, and it would be better if it resolves this issue.