Supreme Court Quashes FIRs Against NEET Protesters, Gives Major Relief to Students

The Supreme Court has granted major relief to students who participated in protests related to the NEET-UG examination controversy. Invoking its extraordinary powers under Article 142 of the Constitution, the court ordered that FIRs connected with the protests held between July 20 and 25 be closed across the country.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said that merely taking part in a protest should not, by itself, be treated as a criminal offence. The court said the decision was aimed at protecting the future of young people who had participated in the demonstrations.

The order also prevents states and Union Territories from registering fresh FIRs over the same protest incidents. However, the court allowed authorities to proceed against individuals allegedly involved in serious offences, including cases involving violence or destruction of property.

The Centre has also committed to developing a nationwide framework for compensation to families of NEET aspirants and students who died by suicide following the examination controversy, with the policy expected within three months.

Following the Supreme Court’s decision and assurances from the Centre, the planned September 5 protest march was called off. The ruling is being viewed as a significant development in the ongoing NEET controversy and the wider debate over students’ right to protest.