New Delhi: In a major judicial development surrounding the nationwide National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) controversy, the Supreme Court has agreed to take up an urgent application filed by the Union Government seeking the quashing of first information reports (FIRs) registered against students who took part in widespread demonstrations.

A three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, alongside Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana, scheduled the matter for an immediate hearing on Tuesday after the issue was mentioned for urgent listing at the conclusion of Monday’s court proceedings.

Mentioning the matter just as the bench was preparing to rise, Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta submitted that the Centre intended to present an Interlocutory Application (IA) to provide relief to students, invoking the extraordinary powers of the apex court under Article 142 of the Indian Constitution to ensure complete justice.

“If parties are reconciling and working towards a resolution, the court has no impediment in considering the matter,” observed the bench while consenting to list the application.

Key Background & Case Developments

  • Constitutional Recourse: The Centre has invoked Article 142 to facilitate complete relief by quashing state-level and capital police cases registered against student participants.
  • Judicial Clarification on Antecedents: On August 3, the apex court clarified that the condition of “criminal antecedents” applies strictly to individuals facing grave and heinous charges, permitting state authorities to withdraw cases against peaceful student protesters.
  • Independent Inquiry: The Supreme Court had previously constituted an oversight committee led by former apex court judge Justice R. Subhash Reddy to examine institutional lapses in examination conduct and investigate allegations of excessive police force.
  • Protest Timeline: The 36-day agitation, which originated at Jantar Mantar on June 20, was formally suspended on July 25 following the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and official assurances from the Union government.

The Centre’s urgent legal move comes amid brewing tension in the national capital, where the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) announced plans to stage a fresh demonstration on Teachers’ Day (September 5). The group alleged that promises extended by the administration during the July 25 truce had not been fully implemented.

Organizers stated that the upcoming march would be spearheaded by bereaved family members of students who tragically died by suicide following the cancellation and rescheduling of the competitive medical entrance test, as well as youth who allegedly suffered injuries during police dispersal measures during the July 20 march toward Parliament.

The Supreme Court’s impending hearing on Tuesday will provide crucial direction on whether blanket quashing orders or state-level withdrawal directives will be formalized, effectively protecting hundreds of medical aspirants from prolonged criminal proceedings.