CJI Surya Kant-led SC backs right to peaceful NEET protests

The Supreme Court(SC) on Monday observed that the right to peaceful protest is a constitutionally guaranteed right and cannot be denied merely because there is agitation, while hearing pleas alleging police excesses against students protesting over the alleged NEET paper leak and examination irregularities.
According to agency reports, a bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said peaceful protest is protected under the Constitution and agitation alone cannot justify police excesses.

Police excesses during students’ protest | Supreme Court has said that the right to peaceful protest is a constitutional guarantee, that the mere existence of an agitation cannot justify alleged police excesses against demonstrators. A bench led by CJI Surya Kant also indicated… pic.twitter.com/PopB5NaPAk

— ANI (@ANI) July 27, 2026

During the hearing, the bench also stressed the need for a uniform protocol across the country to facilitate peaceful demonstrations while enabling authorities to take action against anti-social elements who may attempt to disrupt law and order.The matter pertains to petitions alleging police action against students and protesters demonstrating over the alleged NEET paper leak and examination irregularities.The case comes amid protests led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) over the alleged examination irregularities, including clashes between protesters and security personnel during a march in Delhi on July 20.The Supreme Court's observations came while considering the pleas, with the matter remaining under judicial consideration.