New Delhi | Updated: July 28, 2026
The Supreme Court on Tuesday said a Special Investigation Team may be set up to ensure a fair, transparent, and thorough probe into incidents of violence during the recent student protests over alleged NEET irregularities and paper leaks.
A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant was hearing a batch of pleas alleging police excesses against students protesting across the country.
The bench also comprised Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana.
At the outset, the court asked why there should not be an independent probe into the allegations.
The chief justice said that whoever committed excesses or took the law into their own hands should be taken to task.
The bench observed that once there is a violation of defined protocol, the law must take its course.
Taking note of the submissions made by lawyers, the court said a fair and independent probe was required into all allegations related to police action against protesting NEET students.
The court also said an investigation was needed to examine attacks on around 250 police personnel and whether those attacks were carried out by students or by miscreants.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta submitted that students would not indulge in violence against police personnel.
He said some miscreants had entered the protest and were involved in violence.
Mehta added that persons involved in serious cases, including murder, rape, and NDPS matters, had allegedly entered the protest and attacked police personnel.
On Monday, the Supreme Court had observed that an agitation cannot justify police excesses or a lathi charge.
The bench had also said that the right to peaceful protest is absolutely guaranteed.
The matter relates to the Cockroach Janta Party-led march held in Delhi on July 20.
The march witnessed clashes between protesters and security personnel after demonstrators attempted to move towards Parliament.
Security forces used lathis and teargas shells to disperse the crowd.
The protesters were demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak issue.
The hearing in the matter is underway.
