'Neither officer using excessive force, nor criminal protester should be protected': SC

The Supreme Court stated police using excessive force and hardened criminals will not be protected. States can withdraw FIRs against students from the NEET-UG protest as per law. The court may issue guidelines on pellet gun usage during protests. "Criminal antecedents" will only cover grave and heinous offences, not minor cases. The matter has been listed for further hearing on August eighteenth.