New Delhi, July 28 -- The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed all States to release students below the age of 18 who were arrested or detained during the nationwide protests over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, provided they have no criminal antecedents.

The Court also directed that no coercive action be taken against students for the time being, ordered preservation of all electronic evidence relating to the protests, and observed that the allegations placed before it prima facie warrant an independent and impartial probe.

"All States are directed to release children below the age of 18 who have been arrested or detained during the student protests and who do not have any criminal antecedents", the Court said.

The Court has further...