'Neither officer using excessive force, nor criminal protester should be protected': SC
The Supreme Court stated police using excessive force and hardened criminals will not be protected. States can withdraw FIRs against students from the NEET-UG protest as per law. The court may issue guidelines on pellet gun usage during protests. "Criminal antecedents" will only cover grave and heinous offences, not minor cases. The matter has been listed for further hearing on August eighteenth.
The Supreme Court has observed that neither a police officer using excessive force nor a hardened criminal under the guise of a student protest should be protected. The court, during a hearing related to the NEET-UG protest at Jantar Mantar on July 20, ruled that states have the discretion to close or withdraw FIRs registered against student protesters, as long as they do so in accordance with the law.
Additionally, the court hinted at possibly issuing guidelines on the use of pellet guns during protests. The Chief Justice of India, Surya Kant, emphasized the need to balance protecting peaceful protesters and holding accountable those with serious criminal records.
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