New Delhi, Jul 27: The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear on Tuesday a batch of petitions alleging excessive use of police force against students protesting over examination paper leaks, while reiterating that the right to peaceful and lawful protest is constitutionally protected.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana consented to take up the pleas challenging the alleged police action. The court also agreed to hear a separate petition filed by family members of police personnel who were allegedly attacked during the protests, alongside the other pending petitions.
During the proceedings, Chief Justice Surya Kant observed that peaceful and lawful protest is a constitutionally guaranteed right. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, informed the Bench that he would assist the court in the matter.
In a separate hearing, the apex court considered a plea filed by RJD MP Sudhakar Singh challenging the cancellation of the May 3 NEET-UG examination over the alleged paper leak and the subsequent decision to conduct a re-examination.
A Bench of Justices P.S. Narasimha and Alok Aradhe said it would examine the recommendations of the high-powered task force headed by Nandan Nilekani on the proposed online conduct of the NEET examination.
The Bench observed that innovative, out-of-the-box solutions would be required, particularly during the transition from the conventional pen-and-paper format to an online examination system, indicating that the task force’s suggestions would play a key role in shaping future reforms. (Agencies)
