Supreme Court to hear pleas alleging police excesses on NEET paper leak protesters on July 27

The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear on July 27 two petitions alleging police excesses against students protesting over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak and other examination-related irregularities.

The matter was mentioned before a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana. Senior advocates Shyam Divan and Gopal Sankaranarayanan urged the court to take up the petitions, informing the bench that both pleas had been filed and numbered by the Supreme Court registry.

Highlighting the urgency of the matter, Sankaranarayanan alleged that excessive force was being used against protesting students and told the bench that such incidents were taking place on a daily basis.


“Police is using excessive force against the students,” Sankaranarayanan told the court, adding, “The court stands between us and the police.”

He told the bench that the two petitions concern alleged violence during student protests held in different parts of the country over the examination controversy.

After hearing the submissions, the Chief Justice agreed to list both petitions for hearing on July 27.

Protests spread over NEET paper leak

The petitions come against the backdrop of student protests in several parts of the country over the NEET-UG paper leak and alleged irregularities in the examination system.

The agitation intensified in the national capital following a major protest march led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on July 20, when demonstrators attempted to march towards Parliament.

The protest witnessed clashes between demonstrators and security personnel, with police using lathis and tear gas to disperse crowds as they tried to move ahead.

Protesters have been demanding accountability over the paper leak controversy, with the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan emerging as one of their key demands.

Delhi High Court also examining allegations of excessive force

The allegations surrounding police action during the July 20 protest are also under scrutiny before the Delhi High Court.

On July 22, the High Court sought responses from the Centre and the Delhi Police on two separate petitions alleging excessive use of force against protesters during the march towards Parliament.

The court also directed authorities to preserve records connected with the police action, including CCTV footage and any videography of the events.

The Supreme Court proceedings will now bring the wider allegations of police excesses during student protests under the apex court’s consideration, with the two petitions scheduled to be taken up on July 27.