The Supreme Court on Tuesday delivered a major relief to students who participated in protests over the alleged NEET paper leak. The court ordered the cancellation of FIRs registered against protesters in connection with the student demonstrations held in July. A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant passed the order after the Centre and several states approached the court seeking relief for those facing cases. The court invoked its powers under Article 142 of the Constitution to ensure “complete justice” and directed authorities to drop the FIRs linked to the protests.
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FIRs Against July Protesters Ordered to Be Scrapped
The development came hours after the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) withdrew its proposed protest march in Delhi scheduled for September 5. The party took the decision after receiving assurances from the Centre regarding its demands, including the withdrawal of cases filed against protesters. CJP co-convenor Saurav Das informed the Supreme Court about the decision during the hearing. He said the party had decided to call off the march after considering the government’s assurances and the order passed by the court. The party also indicated that it would now focus on ensuring that authorities comply with the Supreme Court’s directions.
The Supreme Court considered applications filed by the Delhi Police and the governments of Maharashtra, Assam, Bihar and West Bengal. These applications sought the quashing of FIRs registered against students who participated in the July protests. The demonstrations took place in Delhi and other parts of the country amid demands for accountability over the alleged paper leak and concerns surrounding the NEET examination. By accepting the applications, the court provided significant relief to students who had faced criminal proceedings in connection with their participation in the protests.
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CJP Calls Off September 5 Delhi Protest
The court relied on Article 142 to exercise its extraordinary powers in the matter. This constitutional provision allows the Supreme Court to pass orders necessary to achieve complete justice in cases before it. The bench used this power to bring an end to the criminal proceedings arising from the July student protests. The decision also followed discussions between the Centre, the concerned states and representatives of the protesting group. The government’s assurance regarding the withdrawal of cases played an important role in the CJP’s decision to cancel its proposed September 5 march.
The Supreme Court’s order now places the focus on implementation by the concerned authorities. The Delhi Police and the four states involved in the proceedings will have to follow the directions issued by the top court and take the necessary steps regarding the FIRs. The decision marks a significant development in the legal proceedings arising from the NEET protests and gives students facing such cases a major reprieve. With the court settling the issue of the FIRs and the CJP withdrawing its planned march, the immediate possibility of another major protest in Delhi on September 5 has also been removed.
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