SC invokes Article 142, to hear Centre's plea to quash NEET protest FIRs on Sept 1

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear on Tuesday a plea filed by the Centre seeking to quash FIRs registered against students who participated in protests over the NEET examination paper leak.A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana took note of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta’s submission seeking an urgent hearing. As the bench was about to rise after the day’s proceedings, Mehta said, “We want to move an IA (interlocutory application). It’s regarding that protest for quashing of FIRs... We are invoking Article 142 (of the Constitution).”The bench observed that if the parties were reconciling the matter, it had no objection and agreed to list it for hearing on Tuesday.SC had earlier allowed withdrawal of eligible FIRsThe Supreme Court had earlier directed that state governments were at liberty to withdraw FIRs registered against protesters involved in the nationwide demonstrations over the NEET paper leak. The court, however, clarified that those accused of grave and heinous offences would not be covered by such relief.The top court had also constituted a high-powered inquiry committee headed by former apex court judge Justice R Subhash Reddy to examine issues and allegations, including claims of police excesses against students during the protests.Fresh protest planned in DelhiThe latest development comes as the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has called for a protest march in Delhi on September 5, accusing the Centre of failing to honour assurances made on July 25 that had led the group to withdraw its 36-day agitation over examination irregularities.According to the CJP, the march will be led by families of students who died by suicide following the cancellation of the NEET exam and subsequent re-test, as well as those who were allegedly subjected to police excesses during the July agitation.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.