The Supreme Court is set to hear a plea by the Delhi Police to quash 13 FIRs against NEET protesters and initiate fresh proceedings against over 2,800 individuals to probe violent activities.

  • Delhi Police seeks to quash 13 FIRs using Article 142 of the Constitution.
  • Proposal to register a fresh case against 2,873 individuals present during the stir.
  • Similar applications filed by Bihar, Assam, Maharashtra, and West Bengal.
  • Protest march scheduled for September 5 led by grieving families.

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a critical application filed by the Delhi Police on Tuesday (September 1, 2026). The police are seeking the quashing of 13 First Information Reports (FIRs) registered against students who participated in the nationwide protests against the NEET-UG paper leak.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta urged the Bench, headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant, to invoke the plenary powers under Article 142 of the Constitution. The police aim to replace these FIRs with a fresh, comprehensive case against 2,873 individuals who were present during the unrest, allowing for a more rigorous probe into their specific roles in the ensuing violence.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that this legal maneuver is an attempt by the state to reset the narrative of the protests. By quashing existing FIRs and registering a broader case, the police may be attempting to consolidate evidence or shift the legal focus from individual students to a larger organized group, potentially altering the trajectory of the criminal proceedings.

"The invocation of Article 142 is a high-stakes legal move that grants the Court extraordinary power to ensure equity, but it will be closely watched for any signs of shielding systemic police failures."

The timing of this hearing is particularly volatile. A protest march has been called for September 5 (Teachers' Day) in Delhi. This march is expected to be led by the families of students who tragically died by suicide following the cancellation of the NEET exam and subsequent re-tests, as well as those who suffered police excesses during the July agitation.

To maintain judicial oversight, the Supreme Court had previously established a high-powered enquiry committee led by former judge Justice R. Subhash Reddy. This committee is tasked with investigating allegations of police brutality and the systemic failures surrounding the NEET-UG examination irregularities.

Did You Know?: Article 142 of the Indian Constitution allows the Supreme Court to pass any decree or order necessary for doing "complete justice" in any cause or matter pending before it.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why does the Delhi Police want to quash the FIRs?
The police believe that registering a new, unified case against 2,873 individuals will allow for a more effective investigation into the violence compared to the existing 13 FIRs.

2. Who is leading the high-powered enquiry committee?
The committee is headed by former Supreme Court Judge Justice R. Subhash Reddy.