Supreme Court urges balance on police force and student protester immunity

The Supreme Court said police officers who use excessive force and hardened criminals posing as student protesters should not be shielded, while allowing states to drop FIRs against peaceful demonstrators.

In New Delhi, the Supreme Court examined petitions stemming from the NEET-UG demonstration at Jantar Mantar on July 20, emphasizing that neither police employing undue force nor hardened criminals disguised as student activists should enjoy protection. The court clarified that the phrase "criminal antecedents" applies solely to serious, heinous offenses, excluding minor or political cases. It affirmed that state authorities may close FIRs against peaceful protesters provided they act within the law, and signaled intent to issue guidelines governing pellet-gun deployment.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the bench the Union will not pursue charges against protesters except those linked to grave offenses, citing roughly 2,700 such cases. Advocates for the petitioners presented about 300 videos alleging police excesses and called for an investigation into un-uniformed officers and pellet-gun usage. The matter has been scheduled for further hearing on August 18, with a possible Special Investigation Team to review CCTV and other records.