India's top court orders inquiry into student protest crackdown
An independent committee of five members, headed by a retired Supreme Court judge, has been set up
Source: The Business Times Singapore · August 20, 2026 at 5:31 PM · AI-assisted report
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KUALA LUMPUR, 21 AUGUST 2026 —
[KUALA LUMPUR] India’s Supreme Court has ordered an independent inquiry into police actions during last month’s student protests, following allegations of excessive force and rights violations.
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An independent committee of five members, led by a retired Supreme Court judge, will investigate complaints including the use of pellet guns, tear gas, and invasive surveillance. The court also directed a focused probe into allegations of sexual assault against women protesters, which the government has denied. The investigation will cover Delhi and Bihar, with police asked to submit disciplinary reports and preserve all related footage and records.
The apex court’s decision follows petitions seeking compensation for victims, a ban on pellet guns, and reforms in protest policing. It also allowed police to continue internal disciplinary actions while preserving evidence for the committee’s review. Earlier, the court permitted states to withdraw minor charges against protesters with no serious criminal history.
The court’s intervention underscores growing scrutiny over law enforcement’s handling of dissent amid recent unrest.