What is Article 142 that the Supreme Court used to quash FIRs against NEET protesters? | Explained
The Supreme Court of India invoked Article 142 to quash criminal cases against protesters involved in the 2026 NEET-UG paper leak demonstrations. This constitutional provision allows the court to pass orders necessary for 'complete justice' when ordinary legal processes are insufficient.
Why it matters
It highlights the scope and limitations of the Supreme Court's extraordinary judicial powers in balancing legal procedure with constitutional justice.
The story so far: The Supreme Court took an extraordinary step on Tuesday (September 1, 2026) to quash criminal cases registered against Gen Z protesters involved in nationwide protests linked to the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) following the NEET-UG 2026 question paper leak.
A three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant exercised its absolute powers under Article 142 of the Constitution to do “complete justice” and ensure that the “FIRs will not be investigated, and will be closed for all intents and purposes”.
Article 142 empowers the Supreme Court to “pass a decree or make such order as is necessary for doing complete justice in any cause or matter pending before it, and any decree so passed or order so made shall be enforceable throughout the territory of India”. It gives the Supreme Court broad inherent powers.
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