The Supreme Court handed a major relief to students detained during the protests over the alleged NEET paper leak, ordering on Tuesday that anyone held without a prior criminal record be released immediately.
What triggered the protests
Students across the country had been protesting for some time over allegations that the NEET exam paper had been leaked. Police detained or arrested a number of protesters during these demonstrations, prompting the students and groups linked to them to approach the courts.
What the Supreme Court ordered
During Tuesday's hearing, the Supreme Court directed that all students without a criminal record be released without delay. The bench also ordered that no coercive or punitive action be taken against protesters based on the FIRs filed against them, giving the demonstrators significant interim relief.
Bihar and Assam had already begun offering relief
Even before the Supreme Court's order, the Bihar government had decided to withdraw the FIRs filed against students who protested the paper leak and to release them soon, a decision reportedly taken after a warning from CJP. A day later, Assam extended similar relief to protesters, with authorities indicating that cases registered there would also be withdrawn. CJP has since given assurances regarding the withdrawal of FIRs.
Jantar Mantar lathicharge and the parliament march case
Separately, the case of a lathicharge at Jantar Mantar has also reached the Supreme Court, with allegations of excessive police action against students. Two petitions have been filed in court over police action during a march near parliament, accusing police of using disproportionate force. Both matters are set for an important hearing.
