Former Justice R Subhash Reddy, the first judge from Telangana to serve on the SC, heads a five-member panel tasked with examining everything from pellet guns and tear gas to surveillance and women’s safety during the July 20 protests. The court wants answers; fast; especially on whether force was excessive and whether women protesters were targeted. What’s striking? The court didn’t just ask for a report; it demanded CCTV, drone footage, bodycam videos, even wireless logs. And it’s looking at whether laws like Section 152 (which lets police seize property) are being misused to silence dissent. The committee also has the power to recommend interim compensation; for both injured protesters and police. That’s rare. And crucial. The protests, led by the Cockroach Janta Party, turned violent as students marched toward Parliament demanding justice over alleged NEET paper leaks. Police say outsiders infiltrated the crowd; students say they were peaceful till lathis and tear gas came out. This isn’t just about one day. It’s about accountability. About uniforms with nameplates. About banning pellet guns. About whether blanket bans on protests are constitutional. If this panel recommends even half of what it’s been asked to examine; it could set new rules for protest policing in India. The next few weeks might quietly change how citizens and cops face off in the future.