Guwahati/Patna: Assam and Bihar on Monday moved to withdraw cases lodged against students and others who protested alleged irregularities in the NEET (UG) examination, following warnings from the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) that it would restart its agitation unless legal action was halted.
The Assam government said it would withdraw all five cases registered over the NEET protests.
The state Home Department announced that no adverse legal action would be taken against those involved and that the process of case withdrawal would proceed as required by law, as reported by News 18.
It added that arrests would be reviewed and those detained would be released after completing necessary procedures. Police had arrested at least 13 people in connection with the protests as of 6 pm on July 26.
Bihar Orders Releases, Cancels FIRs
Bihar also announced it will pull back cases filed over NEET protests and ordered the immediate release of those detained during the demonstrations.
The state Home Department added that no punitive or retaliatory steps would be taken against people who participated in protests before 6 pm on July 26, and that FIRs, criminal complaints and show‑cause notices linked to the agitation would be withdrawn.
Police reported 694 people were detained during the July 25 bandh called by pro‑Left student groups; 339 minors have been released and 355 others were booked under various laws. The government said all remaining detainees would be freed at once and no further action would be pursued.
CJP Warns Of Renewed Protests
The decisions followed demands from the Cockroach Janta Party that all FIRs against protesters and organisers of the NEET paper-leak agitation be withdrawn.
CJP national spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said the organisation had raised the matter with authorities during discussions on July 25, before its 36-day protest at Jantar Mantar was suspended.
He said an understanding was reached that cases against protesters would be withdrawn and no new FIRs would be registered.
Ranka said the government was expected to provide written confirmation by Tuesday after legal consultations. He warned that the CJP would resume protests if the agreement was not respected and arrested demonstrators were not freed.
“We are waiting for the government to share the written agreement. We hope a senior Cabinet minister will honour the agreement and the FIRs will be withdrawn, no protester or organiser would be harassed, and no cases would be filed in future,” Ranka said.
