Supreme Court to hear pleas against police action on student protesters on July 27

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear on July 27 a batch of petitions alleging excessive police action against students who took part in protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and other places across the country over examination paper leaks.

The matter was listed after reports earlier suggested that the apex court had declined to entertain the petitions. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant clarified that no such plea had been rejected and said the petitions would now be taken up on July 27.

The petitions allege that police used excessive force against students protesting against examination paper leaks and seeking accountability for alleged irregularities in competitive examinations. Protesters have sought an independent inquiry into the police action and the protection of their right to peaceful assembly.

The protests began after allegations of question paper leaks in national-level examinations, with students demanding the resignation of the Government of India Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, action against those responsible, and reforms to ensure transparent and fair examinations.

Demonstrations at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi later spread to several cities across the country, with police using barricades, detentions and crowd-control measures at multiple locations.