Archive · 29 Jul 2026
SC orders release of under-18 NEET protesters
The Supreme Court of India has ordered the release of all students under the age of 18 who were arrested during protests demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak.
The court said that those with criminal records would not be released.
The court also directed the preservation of all CCTV and electronic materials related to the protests and said that no coercive measures should be taken against the protesting students.
The court will form a special team to investigate both the police's actions during the protests and the attacks on police officers.
The next hearing is scheduled for August 3.
Supreme Court orders release of under-18 protesters without criminal antecedents.
Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe police excesses and attacks on cops.
Preservation of all CCTV and electronic materials related to protests.
No coercive measures against protesting students, except those with criminal antecedents.
Over 280 police personnel injured during protests.
- Who
- Supreme Court of India, protesting students, police personnel, government officials.
- What
- Supreme Court orders release of under-18 protesters and investigation into police excesses.
- When
- Order issued on Tuesday, next hearing on August 3.
- Where
- Protests occurred in Delhi, Bengal, Maharashtra, Bihar, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Kerala.
- Why
- To address allegations of police excesses and ensure the rights of protesting students.
Protesters and Petitioners
Government and Police
Use of Force
Protesters and Petitioners
Alleged indiscriminate use of force by police, including pellet guns, rubber bullets, and batons with nails, causing injuries to protesters.
Government and Police
Police claim that anti-social elements infiltrated protests, leading to violence against officers, with 280 personnel injured.
Criminal Antecedents
Protesters and Petitioners
Protesters argue that students were exercising their constitutional rights and should not be penalized for peaceful protest.
Government and Police
Government maintains that individuals with criminal antecedents should not be granted relief and that some protesters engaged in violent acts.
- Court Order
- Release of under-18 protesters without criminal antecedents.
- Investigation
- Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe police excesses and attacks on cops.
- CCTV Footage
- Preservation of all CCTV and electronic materials related to protests.
- Protester Protection
- No coercive measures against protesting students, except those with criminal antecedents.
- Police Injuries
- Over 280 police personnel injured during protests.
- Next Hearing
- August 3.