Supreme Court Mandates Safeguards for Student Protesters Amid NEET Paper Leak Unrest

In a significant intervention regarding the recent nationwide protests over the NEET paper leak, the Supreme Court has issued directives to ensure the protection of student rights. The Court has ordered all state governments to immediately release detained protesters who are under the age of 18 and possess no prior criminal antecedents. This move comes in response to multiple petitions highlighting alleged police excesses and the heavy-handed treatment of students exercising their right to peaceful assembly. The judiciary’s intervention underscores the delicate balance between maintaining public order and upholding the fundamental rights of citizens, particularly students. The Court has expressed deep concern over the reports of violence and has indicated that it may constitute an independent committee to conduct a thorough probe into the incidents. Furthermore, the bench is actively working toward establishing a uniform, nationwide protocol for law enforcement agencies to handle protests. This proposed framework aims to standardize the response of security forces, ensuring that the use of force is proportionate, necessary, and compliant with human rights standards.