The Delhi Police have approached the Supreme Court seeking the quashing of First Information Reports (FIRs) registered against students who took part in demonstrations over the NEET-UG question paper leak in July, citing national and public interest.
A three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V Mohana agreed to take up the matter on Tuesday following an urgent mentioning by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta on Monday. The police have requested the apex court to invoke its extraordinary powers under Article 142 of the Constitution, which allows the court to deliver orders necessary for ensuring complete justice.
Plea Aligns With Policy Decision To Drop Charges
In its application, the Delhi Police stated that following the Union government’s decision on July 25 to drop the cases, the agency no longer intends to investigate or pursue the FIRs arising from protests held between July 20 and July 25, 2026.
The police assured the court that no fresh cases would be registered concerning those incidents. The application further noted that if any additional FIRs related to the same demonstrations come to light later, the administration will not oppose similar relief for the affected individuals.
During an earlier hearing on August 18, the bench had directed authorities to compile a list of cases eligible for relief under Article 142. The Solicitor General informed the judges that while cases against general protesters could be set aside, charges would remain active against 2,873 individuals booked for serious offences, including murder, rape, and abduction. The Supreme Court is also currently hearing separate pleas regarding alleged police excesses during the agitation and has instituted a high-powered enquiry committee to investigate the matter.
Court Declines Preemptive Stay On Planned September Demonstration
The legal development comes amid plans by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) to organize a protest march in the national capital on September 5, alleging that the Centre failed to implement commitments regarding the withdrawal of cases.
In a related proceeding on Monday, the Supreme Court refused to pass restrictive orders on a petition seeking to prevent the September 5 demonstration. Advocate Syed Rizwan Ahmed, appearing for the petitioner, argued that the group had announced the rally on social media without seeking formal clearance, aiming to stage a confrontation ahead of the BRICS summit scheduled in New Delhi for September 12-13.
Declining the plea, Chief Justice Kant observed that the court presumed all parties would conduct themselves peacefully and lawfully, adding that no compelling grounds existed to anticipate unlawful conduct at this stage. The bench reiterated that deciding permissions for public assemblies falls within the administrative domain of law enforcement authorities and the government, advising the petitioner to approach administrative bodies unless an alarming situation arises.
