NationalTuesday, 28 July 2026·The Hindu - National
Supreme Court on protest rights: release of minors, possible independent probe into police excesses in Delhi and States
On July 28, 2026, the Supreme Court ordered release of detained minors and considered an independent probe into alleged police excesses during student protests linked to the NEET paper leak.
Key highlights
Direct fact
On July 28, 2026, a Supreme Court Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant ordered the immediate release of all minors detained in Delhi and other States in connection with student protests linked to the NEET paper leak, while considering a high-powered independent probe.
Key specifics
- The Bench was headed by CJI Surya Kant and included Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana.
- Notices were issued to the Union government and 8 States: Delhi, Maharashtra, Bihar, Assam, Kerala, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
- The protests were linked to the NEET examination paper leak and included the July 20 Parliament march in Delhi.
- The Court directed preservation of CCTV footage, drone recordings, body-worn camera footage, wireless communication records and PCR call records.
- Police were restrained from coercive action against students unless they had criminal antecedents.
Exam lens
Polity and judiciary question type: fundamental rights, protest rights, and judicial review; remember CJI Surya Kant, July 28, 2026, minors’ release, and the Court’s emphasis on a scientific, evidence-based inquiry.