Supreme Court Orders Release of NEET Protesters With No Criminal Record, Curbs Harsh FIR Action

The Supreme Court ordered on Tuesday that students detained in the NEET paper leak protests who have no criminal record be released immediately, and that no harsh action be taken on the FIRs against them. Bihar and Assam had already decided to withdraw cases against protesters.

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Assam extended similar relief to protesters, with authorities indicating that cases registered there would also be withdrawn.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.

What this means for you
• Across India: Students and families involved in the NEET paper leak protests get relief, since protesters without a criminal record will no longer face harsh police action.
• In Bihar: The state government has already decided to withdraw FIRs against protesters, meaning students detained there could see quicker release.

Questions & Answers

1. When did the Supreme Court issue this order?
During the hearing on Tuesday.

2. What did the order say?
Protesters without a criminal record are to be released immediately, and no harsh action is to be taken on the FIRs filed against them.

3. What were the protests about?
Allegations that the NEET exam paper had been leaked.

4. What decision has the Bihar government taken?
It decided to withdraw the FIRs filed against protesters and release them soon.

5. What is the situation in Assam?
Following Bihar, Assam also extended similar relief, with cases registered there set to be withdrawn.

6. What is the Jantar Mantar lathicharge case?
It's a case over a police lathicharge on students during a protest at Jantar Mantar, which has also reached the Supreme Court, with allegations of police excess.

7. What do the petitions over the parliament march allege?
They allege that police used disproportionate force during the march.

8. What role is CJP said to have played?
Reports indicate that states decided to withdraw FIRs after a warning from CJP.

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