India, Sept. 10 -- The Supreme Court on Thursday made it clear that its five-member high-powered enquiry committee (HPEC) cannot order registration of FIRs in connection with the July protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), saying the power to direct criminal investigations rests exclusively with the court.

A bench, comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, said the committee would examine the allegations, identify victims and make recommendations, but any decision to order a criminal investigation would have to be taken by the Supreme Court.

The clarification came as the bench agreed to expedite the proceedings before the committee and said it would "iron out" any creases tha...