Supreme Court Orders Protection for Genuine NEET Protesters, Warns Against Violence

The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued an interim order on petitions related to protests over the alleged NEET paper leak, directing authorities to distinguish between peaceful demonstrators and those involved in violence. The court ordered that no coercive action be taken against genuine student protesters while investigations continue, and that individuals under 18 years of age with no criminal records be released.

A Bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant observed that allegations of police brutality during the nationwide stir require a fair and independent probe, while also addressing concerns of families of over 200 injured police personnel. The court directed all states where protests occurred to preserve CCTV footage, drone recordings, body-camera footage, wireless communication records, and other digital evidence.

Reacting to the order, Bharatiya Janata Party national spokesperson Shehzaad Poonawalla said the court had dealt with the matter in a mature and sensitive manner. In a post on X, he welcomed the distinction drawn between students and arsonists, stating, 'Dissent is okay, danga (riot) is not.' He asserted that while no cases will be pursued against genuine protesters, those with criminal antecedents involved in violence will continue to face legal action.

The Supreme Court also noted that any digital data collected on protesters must be preserved but not brought into the public domain. The order aims to balance the right to peaceful protest with the need to maintain public order and protect the safety of citizens and police personnel.