NEET Paper Leak Protest: The Central Government has assured the Supreme Court that no legal action will be taken against students protesting against the NEET paper leak. During the hearing on Monday, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta stated that the government stands by its promise and no FIRs will be filed against students involved in the protests. However, the more than 2,700 FIRs filed for serious crimes during the protests will not be withdrawn.
Supreme Court Expresses Concern Over Police Action
During the hearing, senior advocate Vrinda Grover raised the issue of withdrawing cases against protesters. Tushar Mehta stated that the government will fulfill its promise in accordance with the legal process.
Chief Justice Surya Kant clarified that if a police officer has used excessive force, he or she should not be protected. The court also stated that attempts to shield a serious criminal under the guise of a student movement will not be acceptable.
NEET protests lasted 36 days, three demands accepted
The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) protested for 36 days at Jantar Mantar in Delhi against alleged exam irregularities and the NEET paper leak. One of the organization’s three main demands was that no legal action be taken against the students involved in the protests. After the government accepted this demand, the protest ended on July 25th following the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Court gave important instructions in the last hearing
In the July 28th hearing, the Supreme Court restrained states from taking harsh action against protesters and directed the release of those under the age of 18 who had no criminal record. The court also issued notices to the governments of Maharashtra, Bihar, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, and Kerala, directing them to preserve digital evidence—such as CCTV footage, drone recordings, body camera footage, PCR logs, and wireless records. The next hearing of this case will be held on August 18, in which the assurances given by the Central Government and the steps taken by the states will be reviewed.