Police personnel using lathi charge to disperse supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) during a protest march to demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged NEET exam irregularities, near Parliament House, in New Delhi on July 20, 2026.
| Photo Credit: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Tuesday (July 28, 2026) said that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) may be set up to ensure fair, transparent and thorough probe into all incidents of violence during the recent student protests.
The Supreme Court was hearing pleas related to alleged police excesses on students during protest against NEET paper leak. Taking note of the submissions of lawyers, the bench said a fair and independent probe into all allegations related to police excesses on protesting NEET students was required.
At the outset, the bench, also comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, asked why there should not be an independent probe into the allegations.
“Whosoever committed excesses, took law in their hands should be taken to task,” the apex court said. “Once there is violation of defined protocol, law must take care of it.”
“Probe is also required to ascertain attacks on 250 policemen, whether it was by students or some miscreants,” the Bench added.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said students will not indulge in violence against police personnel, but some miscreants are involved in the incidents. Miscreants involved in murder, rape and NDPS cases entered the protest and perpetrated violence on police personnel, he added.
The Supreme Court said that a fair and independent probe into all allegations related to police excesses on protesting NEET students is required.
Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Kumar Jha has approached the Supreme Court seeking registration of FIRs over the alleged use of excessive police force against students protesting against NEET paper leaks.
The Cockroach Janta Party-led march on July 20 in Delhi witnessed violent clashes between protesters and security personnel, who used lathis and teargas shells to disperse crowds attempting to move towards Parliament.
A general diary entry filed at Parliament Street police station accessed by The Hindu also revealed that the Rapid Action Force (RAF) fired two rounds from an anti-riot (pellet) gun on the directions of a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) rank officer of the police.
The protesters were demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak issue.
The CJP called off the protest on July 25 after Mr. Pradhan resigned and the government accepted other demands of the newly formed organisation.
(With PTI inputs)
Published – July 28, 2026 12:15 pm IST
