NEET protests: Supreme Court says SIT may be set up to probe police excesses

The Supreme Court on Tuesday said it may constitute a Special Investigation Team SIT to ensure a fair transparent and thorough investigation into allegations of police excesses and incidents of violence during the recent nationwide protests over alleged irregularities in examinations and the NEET paper leakA bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana made the observations while hearing a batch of petitions alleging police brutality against students during the demonstrationsCourt considers independent probeAt the outset of the hearing the bench questioned why there should not be an independent investigation into the allegations of police excessesWhosoever committed excesses took law in their hands should be taken to task the Chief Justice saidAfter hearing submissions from the parties the bench observed that an impartial investigation into all allegations relating to police action against student protesters was necessaryOnce there is violation of defined protocol law must take care of it the bench saidThe Chief Justice added that the court was considering an independent transparent and comprehensive probe into all allegations arising from the protestsProbe to also examine attacks on policeThe bench said the proposed investigation should also examine attacks on police personnel during the demonstrations and determine whether those responsible were students or other individualsThe apex court noted that around 250 police personnel were reportedly injured during the protests and said the circumstances surrounding those incidents also required investigationCentre alleges miscreants joined protestsAppearing for the Centre Solicitor General Tushar Mehta submitted that students would not ordinarily indulge in violence against police personnelHe argued that individuals with criminal backgrounds had infiltrated the protests and were responsible for attacks on security personnelAccording to Mehta persons involved in cases related to murder rape and offences under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances NDPS Act had joined the demonstrations and perpetrated violenceRight to peaceful protest reaffirmedDuring Mondays hearing the Supreme Court observed that an agitation could not justify alleged police excesses or the use of lathi chargesThe bench also reiterated that the right to peaceful protest is constitutionally guaranteedThe hearing on the petitions is continuingBackgroundThe protests intensified after demonstrators marched towards Parliament in New Delhi on July 20 demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET paper leakThe march witnessed clashes between protesters and security personnel who used lathis and tear gas shells to disperse crowds attempting to move towards ParliamentWith inputs from PTI