Supreme Court orders SIT probe into student protest violence

The case concerns Writ Petitions filed under Article 32 of the Constitution regarding allegations of excessive force and violence by police during student protests related to the NEET 2026 question paper leak, and the Court's interim directions to ensure an independent investigation and protect detained students.

Who it concerns: Petitioners: Shaileendra Mani Tripathi and others; Respondents: Union of India, NCT of Delhi, and various State Governments (Maharashtra, Bihar, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Kerala); Bench: Hon'ble The Chief Justice, Hon'ble Mr. Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Hon'ble Mrs. Justice V. Mohana.

What the court decided

• The Court issued notice to the Chief Secretaries of Maharashtra, Bihar, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, and Kerala to appear online.
• The Court directed the preservation of all CCTV, drone, body-worn camera, videography, wireless communication records, and PCR lodge collections related to the protests.
• The Court ordered that personal information and digital data of protestors be preserved and not disclosed to the public domain.
• The Court prohibited the publication of public data or details of protestors, especially students.
• The Court directed that no coercive measures be taken against protesting students, except those with criminal antecedents.
• The Court instructed all States to release children under the age of 18 detained in connection with the protests who do not have criminal antecedents, potentially upon execution of a simple bond.
• The matter was posted for further consideration on 03.08.2026.

Also in the document

• The Court noted that the Solicitor General of India stated the Union and NCT of Delhi had no objection to an independent and fair probe but denied police excesses.
• The Court stated that the allegations prima facie establish a compelling case for an independent and impartial investigation.
• The Court granted a brief period for the NCT of Delhi and Union of India to submit their versions via affidavit before issuing final orders on the investigation.