In a major legal intervention following nationwide student demonstrations over competitive exam paper leaks, the Supreme Court of India directed police forces and investigative authorities across all states to ensure strict safeguards regarding digital data collected from student protesters. During the hearing, the apex court observed that peaceful protests remain an integral pillar of a functioning democracy and barred law enforcement agencies from taking coercive action against demonstrators who do not have prior criminal antecedents. The court specifically mandated the immediate release of all detained individuals under the age of 18 and ordered that personal digital device data seized during recent rallies be preserved and kept out of the public domain to prevent harassment. The court’s instructions came as student unions and civil rights groups raised concerns before Parliament and the judiciary regarding alleged police excesses in several states. Judges indicated that an independent committee or Special Investigation Team (SIT) may be considered to evaluate police conduct during the demonstrations.
