Guwahati, July 28 -- The Supreme Court on Tuesday said the violence reported during recent student protests in Delhi and several other states required a "thorough, fair and impartial" investigation. The court also ordered the immediate release of all minors detained during the demonstrations and directed authorities not to take coercive action against protesting students or disclose their personal information.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana clarified that the interim protection would not apply to anti-social elements or individuals with criminal antecedents.

The bench issued notices to the Union government and the chief secretaries of Delhi, Maharashtra, Bihar, Assam, Kera...