New Delhi/IBNS, July 27 -- The Supreme Court on Monday strongly rebuked the Delhi Police over its crackdown on protesters demonstrating against the alleged NEET paper leak, reaffirming that the right to peaceful protest is a fundamental constitutional guarantee, according to media reports.

In sharp remarks, the apex court observed that a police lathicharge cannot be justified merely because people are protesting.

The observations came while the court was hearing a batch of petitions seeking an independent probe into the police action during the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led Parliament march on July 20.

The Supreme Court also agreed to hear a separate petition alleging that some police personnel were assaulted by sections of the prote...