Bihar, Assam to drop cases against NEET protestors
Police detained 694 people during the July 25 Bihar bandh, releasing 339 minors while legal action continued against remaining protesters.
- Bihar will withdraw all FIRs, criminal complaints, and show-cause notices linked to the NEET protests.
- All detained protesters will be released immediately under the new government order.
- Police had detained 694 people, including 339 minors who were released earlier.
- Student groups welcomed the decision as a victory achieved through sustained public protests.
- Protesters continue to demand strict action against those behind the NEET paper leak.
The Bihar government has announced that it will withdraw all cases filed against protesters involved in demonstrations over the NEET paper leak and release those who were arrested during the agitation. The decision, announced late on Monday by the state’s Home Department, marks a significant shift in the government’s approach after days of protests, political pressure, and growing public concern over the handling of the issue.
According to the official statement, no punitive or retaliatory legal action will be taken against anyone who participated in the protests before 6 p.m. on July 26, 2026. The government also confirmed that the legal process to withdraw all FIRs, criminal complaints, and show-cause notices related to the demonstrations will begin immediately. Those currently in custody in connection with the protests will also be released without delay.
The announcement comes after nearly a week of unrest that began on July 22, when activists from the All India Students’ Association (AISA) marched toward the chief minister’s residence in Patna, demanding accountability over the NEET paper leak and justice for students. The protests later spread across the state, drawing participation from student groups, political activists, and opposition leaders.
Of those detained, 339 were minors who were later released. The remaining 355 individuals were booked under various legal provisions and were expected to face court proceedings before the government’s latest decision changed the course of action.
Several prominent political figures were also arrested during the protests. CPI(ML) Liberation MLA Sandeep Saurav was detained a day before the statewide bandh, while former Bihar minister Tej Pratap Yadav was taken into custody on July 25 after allegedly attempting to enforce the shutdown. Their arrests became major talking points during the demonstrations and added political weight to the movement.
The government’s decision followed increasing pressure from student leaders. Earlier on Monday, AISA president Neha Bora met Bihar Director General of Police Vinay Kumar and submitted a memorandum demanding the withdrawal of all criminal cases and the immediate release of those arrested. She warned that Bihar could witness protests on the scale of the demonstrations at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar if the government failed to act. Bora also questioned why the Bihar administration continued taking strict measures when the Union government had already indicated that no coercive action would be taken against student protesters.
The decision was welcomed by leaders of CPI(ML) Liberation, the political party affiliated with AISA. General secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya described the announcement as another victory for the people and said the government’s move reflected the strength of sustained democratic protests. He shared the Home Department’s statement on social media, calling it a retreat by the BJP-led government in the face of public pressure.
The NEET paper leak controversy has triggered widespread anger across Bihar and several other states, with students demanding transparency, accountability, and stronger safeguards for competitive examinations. The government’s decision to withdraw cases and release protesters is likely to ease tensions for now, but many students continue to expect concrete action against those responsible for the paper leak itself.