SC Quashes FIRs Against NEET Protesters, Bars Fresh Cases Over July Agitation

The Supreme Court used its extraordinary authority under Article 142 of the Constitution on Tuesday to dismiss all FIRs against young demonstrators over incidents that occurred between July 20 and 25 during the nationwide paper leak protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which called for the resignation of then-Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

The court declared that any additional FIRs pertaining to the same incidents in any state or Union Territory would be closed for all purposes and should not be investigated or pursued.

The Supreme Court said that no state or Union Territory should file any new FIRs for incidents that occurred between July 20 and 25, approving pleas submitted by five states to have the FIRs cancelled.

Court allows action against serious offenders

However, the court stated that the affected people's right to pursue legal action would not be impacted if the Centre and Delhi Police continued to file new FIRs against the 2,873 individuals listed in their plea.

The Delhi Police had earlier filed a specific application with the court, requesting permission to file a new First Information Report (FIR) against 2,873 individuals who were alleged to have serious criminal records, provided that an investigation established their involvement in offences involving bodily harm or destruction of property during the protests.

Mehta said the proposal was specific to Delhi and sought permission to register a new FIR against the 2,873 people only if their involvement in such offences was established. He clarified that the proposed action would not cover all protesters.

SC invokes Article 142

The Supreme Court indicated that its decision to invoke Article 142 was based on commitments made to it by the central government and certain states, along with a statement delivered by the CJP co-convenor.

The court also considered the future prospects of young demonstrators who had "bona fide" come to take part in peaceful protests.

Regarding compensation, the court ordered that a pan-India framework be developed in consultation with states and Union Territories and that it be established as a regular mechanism for compensatory measures.

The Centre was also directed to provide compensation within three months in cases of suicides linked to NEET 2026. A CJP representative responded to the ruling by thanking the Supreme Court and calling it "historic."

The Cockroach Janta Party informed the Supreme Court on Tuesday that it was calling off a new protest march in Delhi on September 5 after the government promised to uphold its commitments to demonstrators, including the withdrawal of FIRs related to the July 20 Jantar Mantar agitation.