Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana Clarified That the Term "Criminal Antecedents" Applies Only to Serious Offences

A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana clarified that the term "criminal antecedents" applies only to serious offences. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta assured the court that the Union Government would not pursue cases against protesting students except those with such records, noting that FI Rs against over 2,700 individuals with serious antecedents would remain. Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan alleged police excesses, citing 300 videos showing un-uniformed personnel using pellet guns and other force, and urged directions to the Commissioner of Police and RAF director.

The court will next hear the matter on August 18. It had earlier stressed that peaceful protest is "absolutely guaranteed" and cannot be met with unjustified lathi charges. The July 20 march in Delhi saw clashes when security forces used lathis and teargas to disperse crowds heading toward Parliament.