The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed that no coercive action be taken against students who participated in the recent nationwide protests over examination paper leaks, provided they have no criminal antecedents. It also ordered the immediate release of all detained or arrested minors, as well as other students without criminal backgrounds, and barred authorities from making their personal or digital data public.
Supreme Court May Constitute SIT
A Bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana said the allegations of police excesses prima facie made out a case for a fair and independent investigation.
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The Court indicated that it may constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by a former Supreme Court judge or another high-powered committee, but first gave the Union government, Delhi Police and the States concerned an opportunity to place their versions on record, Live Law and Bar & Bench report.
Notice was issued to the chief secretaries of Delhi, Maharashtra, Bihar, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. The matter will be heard next week.
Court Orders Preservation of CCTV and Digital Evidence
The Court directed that all CCTV footage, drone recordings, body-worn camera footage, wireless communications and PCR logs related to the protests be preserved.
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It also ordered that protesters' personal and digital data collected by police should not be brought into the public domain.
No Coercive Action Against Students
The Bench made it clear that no coercive action should be taken against students involved in the protests if they have no criminal antecedents. The order also covers the immediate release of detained or arrested minors and other students without any criminal background.
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CJP President Warns of Peaceful Protest
On Tuesday evening, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founding president Abhijeet Dipke warned of a massive peaceful protest if the alleged police harassment of students continued.
He accused the government of targeting students and urged it to end what he described as a "witch-hunt" against them.
