The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the release of student protesters who are below 18 years of age and have no criminal record, while restraining authorities from taking coercive action against eligible protesters in connection with the recent nationwide agitation over the alleged NEET paper leak. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, and comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, issued a series of interim directions while hearing petitions alleging police excesses during the demonstrations. SC orders preservation of digital evidence The apex court directed all states where protests were held to preserve electronic and digital evidence related to the demonstrations. The order covers CCTV footage, drone recordings, body-camera footage, wireless communication records, Police Control Room (PCR) logs and other digital material linked to the protests. The bench also directed that any digital data collected on protesters be preserved but not disclosed publicly. No coercive action against eligible protesters The court restrained authorities from taking coercive action against protesting students during the pendency of the proceedings. However, the protection will not …