Lathi-Charge Cannot Be Launched: CJI Surya Kant’s Remark On Student Protest
CJI Surya kant has made an oral remark regarding the lathi charge against the students during the protest on 20 July. He said every citizen should be protected.
New Delhi: A lathi charge by Delhi Police on 20th July 26 on protesters marching to Parliament against the NEET UG 2026 paper leak has been surrounded by debates. The Supreme Court on Monday orally observed that a lathi-charge cannot be launched merely because of agitation.
A bench headed by CJI Surya Kant observed that a fresh batch of petitions regarding alleged use of excessive force on protesters in different parts of the country were mentioned before it. One of the petitions has been filed by a group of students who claim they were beaten during the protests.
The entire batch of petitions has been listed for hearing on Tuesday, 28 July. One of the pleas also mentions that AK-47 rifles were used against the protestors in Bihar’s Siwan.
CJI Surya Kant remarked orally, "We will list all these matters tomorrow.... Every citizen should be protected. If there are excesses committed, that should be prevented. There should be protocols. It's not only about Delhi. Agitation has been held in various places. It cannot be merely because there is an agitation, you do a lathi charge.”
CJI further added, "There has to be self-evolved discipline that is integral to democracy."
Surya Kant further observed that a balance must be struck between allowing young people to openly express their dissent and preventing anti-social elements from exploiting such demonstrations.
CJI Surya Kant said, "There should be a protocol in place that if youth want to agitate, they should be given the space. But if antisocial elements are present, that should not be allowed."
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