Student Protest: Supreme Court Orders Immediate Release of Children Who have no Prior Criminal Record

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has directed that all students arrested during the NEET question paper leak protests who have no prior criminal background be released. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana, while hearing petitions on the matter, said those without a history of criminal offences should not be kept in detention solely on account of participating in the protests.

The court specifically ordered the release of students below 18 years of age and those without prior criminal records who were taken into custody or arrested during the protests, directing various states and Union Territories to take appropriate action. Notices have been issued to the central government and to the state governments of Maharashtra, Bihar, Assam, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi.

The court also said it would consider forming a Special Investigation Team to ensure an impartial and transparent inquiry into the incidents of violence and alleged police excesses. The Chief Justice-headed bench observed that an independent and impartial investigation into the allegations of police brutality is essential.