Supreme Court Says Peaceful Protest Is a Constitutional Right, Questions Police Excesses
The bench said peaceful protest is constitutionally protected and sought a uniform police protocol as it weighs claims of excess and injuries on both sides.
- The Supreme Court agreed on Monday to hear petitions on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, alleging police excesses against students protesting the NEET paper leak during the July 20 crackdown in New Delhi.
- During the July 20 crackdown in New Delhi, The Delhi Police and The RAF managed large crowds; The Supreme Court noted that agitation does not justify excessive force or police misconduct.
- "The right to peaceful protest is absolutely guaranteed," CJI Surya Kant stated, emphasizing the need for uniform protocol to regulate police responses during demonstrations without unnecessary force.
- The Bench also agreed to hear a separate plea filed by families of police personnel attacked during protests, with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana asserting all individuals deserve equal protection.
- Justice Bagchi stressed that injuries suffered by police and protesters deserve equal consideration, calling upon the State to explain whether adequate protective equipment was provided to officers during large gatherings.
33 Articles
33 Articles
“Probe Meaningless Without Fixing Responsibility”: Supreme Court On CJP March Violence
Demonstrations in the national capital turned violent on July 20 when a crowd, spearheaded by the CJP, attempted to march towards Parliament from the Jantar Mantar protest site. Police fired tear gas and used batons to disperse the protest, triggering clashes and a wave of detentions.
Supreme Court says peaceful protest is a constitutional right, questions police excesses
The Supreme Court on Monday said the right to peaceful protest is constitutionally protected and observed that police excesses during demonstrations cannot be justified. Hearing petitions over alleged force against students protesting examination paper leaks, the court said any excess should be independently examined and stressed the need for uniform policing protocols.
Delhi Police defends lathi-charge of protesters, says response graded, restrained
Delhi Police said it used lathi-charge and tear gas only after NEET protesters breached barricades and moved towards Parliament. The force said the action followed repeated warnings and will now face a post-incident review.
Greater Kashmir
NEET row: Right to peaceful protest guaranteed, says SC, fixes pleas for hearing on Tuesday
New Delhi, Jul 27: Observing that the right to peaceful protest is guaranteed, the Supreme Court agreed to hear on Tuesday a batch of pleas alleging police excesses against students protesting over NEET paper leak across the country and other exam irregularities. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana also agreed to take up a separate plea, filed by a few family members of those police personnel who…
Supreme Court May Introduce Guidelines For Police And Protesters To Regulate Peaceful Protests
On Monday, the Supreme Court of India bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana heard the pleas. Bench reaffirmed that the right to peaceful protest is a constitutional guarantee that cannot be curtailed.On behalf of different petitioners, Senior Advocates Gopal Sankaranarayanan, Colin Gonsalves and Vikas Singh appeared in the court, urging acti
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