Supreme Court to Examine Police Excesses and Violence During NEET Protests

The Supreme Court on Monday observed that police cannot resort to a lathicharge merely because an agitation is taking place, while agreeing to examine a batch of petitions concerning police excesses, violence against officers, and attacks on media during nationwide NEET paper leak protests. The bench, led by the Chief Justice of India alongside Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, heard the matter in New Delhi and posted the case for further hearing on Tuesday.

The court took up multiple cross-petitions arising from the demonstrations. One plea alleged police brutality against students protesting the NEET paper leak across India, citing the alleged use of pellet guns by Delhi Police and the use of AK-47 rifles in Siwan, Bihar. Additional petitions were submitted by family members of policemen who were attacked while controlling riotous crowds, as well as media personnel reporting physical heckling and attacks while covering the agitation.

During the proceedings, the bench emphasized that the right to protest lawfully and peacefully enjoys absolute guarantee under the constitutional scheme. The CJI noted that while peaceful agitation is protected, protesters cannot resort to violence, adding that injuries to individuals—whether protesters or policemen—are of equal concern to the court.

Agreeing with senior advocate Vikas Singh on the necessity of a pan-India standard operating protocol, the court indicated it will examine the petitions before framing nationwide guidelines for preventing such incidents in the future. The bench remarked that a standardized protocol is required to provide adequate space for peaceful protests.