The Supreme Court’s observations today in the students’ protest case are far more than an interim judicial order. They represent a timely reminder that constitutional democracy cannot function on assumptions, competing narratives or executive assertions. By indicating the need for a fair and independent investigation into the allegations of injuries sustained by both students and police personnel—and by contemplating the constitution of a Special Investigation Team headed by a former Supreme Court Judge—the Court has reaffirmed a foundational constitutional principle: truth must be established through an impartial process, not predetermined conclusions.

The events surrounding the nationwide student protests have deeply polarized public discourse. In such an atmosphere, the judiciary’s role assumes even greater significance. Constitutional courts are not merely arbiters of legal disputes; they are guardians of civil........

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