NationalWednesday, 2 September 2026·The Hindu - National
Supreme Court uses Article 142 to quash NEET-UG protest FIRs and orders compensation policy
On September 1, 2026, the Supreme Court invoked Article 142 to quash FIRs linked to NEET-UG 2026 protests and asked the Centre to frame a compensation policy for affected families.
Key highlights
Direct fact
On September 1, 2026, a three-judge Supreme Court Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant invoked Article 142 to quash FIRs linked to the NEET-UG 2026 protest cases and directed the Centre to frame a compensation policy within three months.
Key specifics
- Article 142 of the Constitution was used to do “complete justice” in the NEET-UG protest matter.
- The order was passed by a three-judge Bench headed by CJI Surya Kant on September 1, 2026.
- The court allowed a fresh and specific FIR against 2,873 individuals identified through facial recognition at Jantar Mantar, Delhi.
- The order was extended beyond Delhi to all States and Union Territories where the protests took place.
- The Centre was directed to frame a pan-India compensation policy for families of students who died after the NEET-UG 2026 paper leaks, and make payments within three months.
Exam lens
Question type: Polity and constitutional provisions; key facts: Article 142, complete justice, CJI Surya Kant, 2,873 persons, Jantar Mantar, three-month compensation direction. TNPSC may ask which Article empowers the Supreme Court to do complete justice.