Supreme Court allows FIR withdrawal for NEET protesters

On August 3, 2026, the India — Supreme Court of India clarified its July 28 interim order regarding student protests against the NEET paper leak. The bench, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. K. Mohanan, ruled that the Delhi government and other states are at liberty to close or withdraw FIRs against student protesters, except those with criminal antecedents involving grave and heinous offences. The court narrowed the interpretation of 'criminal antecedents' to only serious crimes, excluding minor offences like traffic violations. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta stated that FIRs against over 2,700 individuals with serious antecedents would not be withdrawn. The court also discussed mechanisms for investigating police excesses, including a possible Special Investigation Team or a committee headed by a retired judge, and planned to lay down a protocol for the use of pellet guns. The matter was posted for further hearing on August 18. The protests, led by the India — Rashtriya Janata Dal, began at Jantar Mantar on June 20 and culminated in a march towards Parliament on July 20, which saw clashes with police. The agitation was called off on July 25 after Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned.