Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant on Wednesday (September 9, 2026) questioned the issuance of a show cause notice by the Executive Magistrate, Third, Greater Noida Commissionerate, to a student of Gautam Buddha University (GBU) in connection with the NEET-UG protests at Jantar Mantar, despite a clear Supreme Court order barring any coercive action against students.
The Chief Justice orally assured that the court would seek an explanation on the issuance of the notice. Mr. Contempt cannot be purged. The court had clarified the order was not confined to Delhi, but extended to States and Union Territories which saw the protests.
On September 1, the Supreme Court quashed FIRs registered against protestors , who were overwhelmingly students, involved in the agitation against the NEET-UG question paper leaks. The court had said the Centre would be at liberty to ensure that States or Union Territories did not register any fresh FIRs with respect to CJP protests held between July 20 and July 25.
The plea was orally mentioned by senior advocate Biswajit Bhattacharya, who said the action of the Magistrate amounted to contempt of the Supreme Court. The senior counsel said the notice was in clear violation of the Supreme Court prohibition. Bhattacharya said the contempt was prima facie committed against a specific apex court order. He said the student was aware only from media reports that the notice was withdrawn. The court had 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”.
