NEET protests: SC says SIT may be set up to probe police excesses

The Court ordered that children below the age of 18 years who have been detained or arrested must be released

metro india news  I new delhi 

The Supreme Court today observed that there was a need for a fair and independent investigation into the allegations of injuries to the students and police officials during the student protests which took place across the country last week. The Court hinted that it might constitute a Special Investigation Team headed by a former Supreme Court Judge for the investigation, and sought the responses of the Union, Delhi NCT and the States of Assam, Bihar, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Kerala.

The Court also passed various interim directions, especially for the release of all students having no criminal antecedents arrested or detained over the participation in protests. The Court directed the preservation of all CCTV footage, drone footage, body-worn camera recordings, wireless communication and PCR logs. Furthermore, the Court directed the States to ensure that personal information and digital data of protesters are preserved and are not brought in the public domain for the time being. The personal data or details of the protesters must not be published.

The Court also directed that no coercive steps should be taken against students over protests, provided they have no criminal antecedents. The Court initially ordered that children below the age of 18 years who have been detained or arrested must be released. However, when Senior Advocate Shadan Farasat pointed out that some of them are in the age group of 19 or 20 years, the Court clarified that all students, without criminal antecedents, be released.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana was dealing with a bunch of petitions alleging police brutality against student protestors across the country who protested against examination paper leaks and other systemic irregularities from July 20 onwards. The Court also heard petitions filed on behalf of injured police officers and media persons.

The bench observed that "the allegations made by petitioners prima facie make out a case for an independent and fair probe. Such a probe will effectively address allegations..." The petitions will be considered next on August 3.