India, July 24 -- Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has clarified that the Supreme Court never refused to hear a plea alleging police excesses against students protesting over the NEET paper leak, saying the court merely insisted that the petition be filed in the proper legal format.

In an exclusive conversation with NDTV, Chief Justice Kant said reports suggesting the Supreme Court had declined to hear the matter were incorrect.

"It was reported wrongly that the Supreme Court declined to hear the petition. The Supreme Court can never deny hearing of any case. It's my commitment that we are available 24 hours," he said.

Explaining the events that unfolded on Wednesday, the Chief Justice said the petition had not been formally filed whe...