The Supreme Court has taken significant steps in the CJP protest case by ordering an independent Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into allegations of police excesses during the agitation. The bench directed the immediate release of detained minors, barred coercive action against students for the time being, and issued notices to the Centre along with seven states, including Delhi, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, and Kerala. While reaffirming that peaceful protest is a constitutional right, the bench emphasized that the rule of law must prevail and that individuals accused of criminal acts can be dealt with separately.