SC Considers SIT Probe Into Alleged Police Excesses During NEET Protests

New Delhi, Jul 28: The Supreme Court on Tuesday indicated that it may constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct a fair, transparent and independent probe into allegations of police excesses during the recent nationwide protests over the NEET paper leak and examination irregularities. Hearing a batch of petitions, a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, observed that any violation of established protocols by law enforcement must be investigated and dealt with strictly under the law. The Bench said an impartial inquiry was necessary to ascertain the truth behind allegations of excessive force used against protesting students as well as the reported attacks on police personnel during the demonstrations. “Whosoever committed excesses or took the law into their own hands should be held accountable,” the Chief Justice observed, adding that the court was considering an independent mechanism to ensure a thorough investigation into all incidents. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, submitted that students were unlikely to have indulged in violence and alleged that anti-social elements with criminal backgrounds had infiltrated the protests and attacked security personnel. The court also sought clarity on reports that over 250 police personnel were injured during the protests and said the investigation should determine whether the violence was carried out by students or by miscreants. The hearing remains in progress. The observations come a day after the apex court reaffirmed that while the right to peaceful protest is constitutionally protected, any use of excessive force by police or violence by protesters must be examined in accordance with the law. The protests, led by the Cockroach Janta Party on July 20 in New Delhi, witnessed clashes between demonstrators and security forces after protesters attempted to march towards Parliament, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak controversy.