New Delhi: In a major legal development, the Supreme Court has delivered a sweeping order quashing all criminal cases and FIRs filed against students who took part in widespread demonstrations across the country over the NEET paper leak controversy. The top bench, headed by the Chief Justice, invoked its extraordinary constitutional powers under Article 142 of the Constitution to grant this major relief to the student community after a detailed hearing.
Nationwide Relief and Cancellation of FIRs
The apex court's directives apply directly to police complaints and FIRs registered in regions including Delhi, Assam, West Bengal, and Bihar. However, the court carved out a specific exception, clarifying that Delhi Police will maintain legal proceedings exclusively against the 2,873 individuals who carry documented prior criminal records. Furthermore, the Chief Justice explicitly warned state administrations that if any other related FIR exists which has not yet been formally brought to the court's notice, the respective states are barred from raising objections against shutting them down.
Prohibition of Future Cases and Legal Harassment
Elaborating on the scope of the relief, the bench stated that accepting these applications under Article 142 warrants an immediate halt to any ongoing investigations regarding identical matters across all states. The Supreme Court made it unequivocally clear that students who participated in demonstrations demanding accountability and the resignation of Dharmendra Prasad over the examination irregularities will face no new criminal complaints or police actions moving forward.
Mandatory Policy Formulation for Compensation
Addressing the tragic human cost of the examination crisis, the court issued directives concerning financial relief for the families of students who tragically died by suicide in the wake of the NEET exam developments. The bench was informed that a dedicated administrative framework would be established shortly. The court mandated that this comprehensive policy must be finalized within a strict window of three months, following which due compensation will be disbursed to the affected families.
Jantar Mantar Protests and Police Action Breakdown
During the proceedings, the bench noted the massive scale of the mobilization that unfolded between July 20 and July 25, during which thousands of students gathered around Jantar Mantar and adjacent areas in the national capital to voice their grievances. Police authorities had initially registered a total of 13 separate FIRs in connection with these gatherings. Formal applications containing details of these cases were submitted from various regions including Delhi, Maharashtra, Assam, Bihar, and West Bengal. Reiterating its stance, the court confirmed that aside from the 2,873 individuals identified by law enforcement for existing criminal backgrounds, no additional or fresh police cases will be pursued against the wider body of protesters.
