"There cannot be any second opinion about it. Such matters cannot be taken lightly. Nobody should be protected," CJI Surya Kant said over the intimidation of a young girl who participated in the NEET protests.

The Supreme Court today expressed concerns over the intimidation of a 14-year-old girl who took part in the NEET Paper Leak Protests.

As the CJI Surya Kant led bench was hearing batch of petitions concerning the students protests, a young counsel told the bench, "A 14-year-old girl linked to the CJP protest is being intimidated, FIR had been registered against the child even as persons allegedly involved in assaulting and intimidating her continued to remain at large. Instead of prosecuting those who were accompanying the accused and were allegedly caught on camera, an FIR has been registered against the child. This is also contrary to the Supreme Court's earlier order".

The girl came under spotlight after Swatantra Bhardwaj allegedly said on social media that he had beaten the girl's father during the CJP protests.

"Such matters cannot be taken lightly. Nobody should be protected if violence against a child is involved... if persons accused of such acts are roaming free and attempting to browbeat the child or her family so that they do not pursue criminal proceedings..," CJI Surya Kant said responding to the submissions.

The counsel went on to submit before the bench that additional video evidence can be provided to the Police concerning the girl's residence being subjected to stone pelting. 

Justice Joymalya Bagchi addressing Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, present in court said, "there is one FIR at Parliament Street Police Station concerning allegations that certain miscreants threatened, harassed and intimidated a minor and indulged in acts of violence against her...We would like immediate action to be taken on that FIR and a report to be filed. Police protection and appropriate protection must also be provided to the victim and her family by the Uttar Pradesh Police, wherever she is presently residing or wherever she may choose to reside. The investigation will continue in respect of the case registered at Parliament Street Police Station".

"Let me examine the entire matter. Whatever is required in the facts of the case can certainly be done," SG Tushar Mehta said in response.

On September 1, 2026 in light of the assurance given by the government, the Supreme Court had quashed FIRs registered against those involved in the NEET Paper Leak Protests. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta had informed the CJI Surya Kant led bench that the government was committed to all the three assurances made by the Centre after a meeting was held between the government and the leaders of the protest. Notably the three assurances were, firstly, that Centre will not pursue the FIRs filed against the protestors from July 20-25, secondly, no future FIRs will be filed and lastly, the government would pay compensation to those unfortunate students who committed suicide.

For Delhi Police, the court was further informed that regarding persons with criminal antecedents, who may have caused destruction of public property, 2873 individuals having serious criminal antecedents as per NCRB database were prima facie reported to be at protest site. The SG added that fresh FIRs would be registered against these individuals, not for being part of protest but other offences.

Previously, the Supreme Court had directed that the State government are at liberty to withdraw FIRs registered against the protestors involved in the recent protests that happened in various parts of the country over the NEET paper leak. As a CJI Surya Kant led bench clarified that those FIRs registered against persons who are already accused of grave and heinous offences may not be withdrawn, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the bench that 2700 such FIRs shall not be withdrawn.

Court had directed that no coercive action would taken against the protestors involved in the recent protests. A Bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana had also ordered immediate release of minors detained by police across different States except those with criminal background. On August 20, the

Supreme Court has also constituted a High-Powered Enquiry Committee(HPEC) headed by Justice (Retd.) R. Subhash Reddy, Former Judge of the Supreme Court of India for an independent and impartial investigation into the alleged acts of violence during the NEET Paper Leak protests. The top court has ordered that the enquiry undertaken by the HPEC shall not be a one-time exercise rather, the Committee shall undertake a continuous and periodic assessment of the issues enumerated hereinabove, and shall submit its interim findings periodically so as to enable this Court to take appropriate measures and issue such directions as may be warranted.

Case title: SHAILENDRA MANI TRIPATHI Vs UNION OF INDIA

Hearing Date: September 9, 2026

Bench: CJI Kant, Justice Bagchi and Justice Mohana

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