CJP Protest: After Bihar And Assam, Maharashtra To Withdraw Police Cases Against Student Protesters
CJP Protest: After Bihar And Assam, Maharashtra To Withdraw Police Cases Against Student Protesters Published By, Last Updated: July 28, 2026, 16:40 IST Supreme Court
CJP Protest: After Bihar And Assam, Maharashtra To Withdraw Police Cases Against Student Protesters Published By, Last Updated: July 28, 2026, 16:40 IST Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the release of students who were arrested or detained during the recent nationwide student protests, provided they have no criminal antecedents. Maharashtra To Withdraw Cases Against Student Protesters; CM Devendra Fadnavis Issues Orders Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday directed the Home Department to withdraw cases registered against students who took part in protests, making Maharashtra the latest state to roll back legal action against demonstrators. The move comes after Bihar and Assam announced similar decisions to withdraw cases filed against protesters. Supreme Court orders release of students Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court directed the release of students who were arrested or detained during the recent nationwide protests, provided they have no criminal antecedents.
The court also indicated that an independent investigation may be required into allegations of violence involving both protesters and police personnel. Hearing a batch of petitions alleging police excesses during protests over examination-related issues, including the NEET paper leak, a bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana passed a series of interim directions to safeguard students’ rights and ensure preservation of evidence. Bihar, Assam had already announced relief Assam and Bihar had earlier decided to withdraw cases registered against NEET protesters after the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) warned that it would resume its agitation if legal action against students and demonstrators was not stopped. On Monday, the Assam government announced that it would withdraw all five cases registered in connection with protests over alleged irregularities in the NEET (UG) examination.
As of 6 pm on July 26, at least 13 people had been arrested in these cases. The Bihar government also announced the withdrawal of cases filed against NEET protesters and ordered the release of those arrested during the demonstrations. The Bihar Home Department said no punitive or retaliatory action would be taken against people who participated in the protests before 6 pm on July 26. It added that FIRs, criminal complaints and show-cause notices issued against protesters would be withdrawn. According to police, 694 people were detained during the Bihar bandh called by pro-Left student organisations on July 25. Of them, 339 minors were released, while the remaining 355 were booked under various laws. The Bihar government said all those arrested or detained in connection with these cases would be released immediately and that no further action would be taken against them.
The BriefWire