India Supreme Court appoints panel to investigate police excesses in July 20 protests

The Supreme Court of India announced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, that it will establish a high-powered committee to investigate allegations of police excesses during recent youth protests and violence against security forces. The committee will be tasked with a fact-finding mission into the events surrounding the July 20 march to Parliament in Delhi, which was led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).

A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, stated that the formal order constituting the panel will be issued on Wednesday, August 19, after receiving suggestions from various parties on additional members. The committee will include a former Supreme Court judge, a former chief justice of a High Court, a senior retired police officer, and a former Director General of Police. The court indicated it would provide all necessary infrastructure and facilities for the committee's work.

The panel's mandate will encompass examining the use of force by security personnel, who used lathis, tear gas, and allegedly pellet guns to disperse crowds. It will also investigate allegations of sexual assault and online harassment faced by female...