NEET-UG protests: Supreme Court questions U.P. Magistrate’s notice to student despite SC bar
The Supreme Court of India has questioned an executive magistrate's decision to issue a show-cause notice to a student involved in NEET-UG protests. The court previously barred coercive action against students, and the notice has since been withdrawn.
Why it matters
This case underscores the tension between local administrative authority and Supreme Court directives regarding student activism and civil liberties.
Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant on Wednesday (September 9, 2026) questioned the issuance of a show cause notice by the Executive Magistrate, Third, Greater Noida Commissionerate, to a student of Gautam Buddha University (GBU) in connection with the NEET-UG protests at Jantar Mantar, despite a clear Supreme Court order barring any coercive action against students.
The notice was reportedly withdrawn shortly after its issuance.
“How can the Magistrate issue a notice? How dare... we had made it clear that no coercive action against any student,” Chief Justice Kant observed.
The Chief Justice orally assured that the court would seek an explanation on the issuance of the notice.
The notice had asked the student, Akshat Tripathi, to show cause why he should not furnish a personal bond of ₹5 lakh. He was accused of “spreading anti-government propaganda” and “inciting” university students to join the Jantar Mantar protests.
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