The Supreme Court has mandated the release of students under the age of 18 who were arrested during the recent protests related to the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak. This directive applies provided these students do not have any prior criminal records. The ruling was delivered on July 28, 2026, amid widespread nationwide unrest following the allegations of malfeasance during the examination process.

Moreover, the Court has prohibited any coercive measures from being taken against these students in the interim. During the proceedings, the bench, comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V. Mohana, highlighted the necessity of maintaining all electronic evidence associated with the protests, as it may be crucial for any future investigations.

In its statements, the Court observed that the claims presented warranted an independent and impartial inquiry into the events surrounding the protests. This includes reviewing the circumstances under which the arrests were made and evaluating the treatment of protesters by police forces.

Allegations of Police Excesses and Violent Confrontations

The bench was informed about various petitions alleging that students faced excessive force from law enforcement during their demonstrations. These protests, which initially began at Jantar Mantar, quickly expanded to several states including Maharashtra, Bihar, Gujarat, Assam, West Bengal, and Kerala. Reports indicate that law enforcement allegedly employed measures such as lathi charges, pellet guns, tear gas, and electric weapons, potentially breaching constitutional protections.

Details provided to the Court included accounts of severe injuries sustained by protesters, including one individual reportedly losing their eyesight and others suffering permanent disabilities. The Court took note of a media representative who was injured during the confrontations. Testimonies from police personnel also surfaced, alleging assaults by unidentified individuals during the protests.

During the hearing, Advocate Prashant Bhushan introduced a petition on behalf of Junaid Malik, indicating that Malik and his family faced police aggression. However, the Court maintained that it would not delve into specific incidents at this stage, while acknowledging that preliminary evidence suggested violent encounters between police and students.

Status of Ongoing Investigations and Government Response

The Solicitor General of India, Tushar Mehta, representing the Union of India and the NCT of Delhi, voiced support for an independent investigation into the protests. He posited that while accusations were made against police for brutality, other allegations suggested that outside elements may have infiltrated peaceful demonstrations, resulting in harm to police personnel.

He asserted that the framing of events was complex, suggesting that while students were alleged victims of police violence, actions taken against police officers required equally careful consideration. The Solicitor General stressed the need for accountability on all sides to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the incidents.

The Court agreed to take all allegations into account and noted the necessity for an impartial inquiry to assess the hosted claims. It also instructed that responses be gathered from the NCT of Delhi and other concerned states prior to finalising any orders for such an inquiry.

The Court has also mandated the preservation of relevant digital evidence, such as CCTV and drone footage, in order to maintain the integrity of environments where these protests occurred. It instructed local authorities to ensure that this material remains confidential and is not disclosed publicly.

In addition, while investigations into existing FIRs can continue, the Court emphasised that no coercive actions should be initiated against the arrested students at this time. The complexities of the situation demand careful navigation and adherence to legal norms as the situation unfolds.

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