Bihar Government Withdraws Cases, Orders Release of NEET Paper Leak Protesters
The Bihar government has announced the withdrawal of all cases filed against protesters involved in demonstrations over the NEET paper leak, and the release of those jailed. The decision, communicated late on July 27, 2026, by the state’s Home Department, states that no punitive action will be taken against individuals who participated in protests before 6 p.m. on July 26.
According to police records, 694 people were detained during a statewide bandh called on July 25 by left-leaning student unions. After releasing 339 minors, the remaining 355 were booked under relevant laws and were facing trial. Among those arrested were CPI(ML) Liberation MLA Sandeep Saurav, detained a day before the bandh, and former state minister Tej Pratap Yadav, taken into custody on July 25 for enforcing the shutdown.
The Home Department statement clarified that the legal process for withdrawing all FIRs, criminal complaints, and show-cause notices against protesters will begin immediately. All arrested or detained individuals will be released at once, and no future action will be taken against them.
The announcement came hours after All India Students' Association (AISA) president Neha Bora met Bihar Director General of Police Vinay Kumar and submitted a memorandum demanding the withdrawal of cases and release of arrestees. Bora warned of escalated protests if demands were not met, expressing surprise at the state government’s actions given the Union government’s assurance of no coercive measures.
CPI(ML) Liberation general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, whose party is affiliated with AISA, welcomed the decision. He shared the Home Department statement on social media, calling it a victory for the people. Left-wing student organizations had held demonstrations across Bihar on July 25, some turning violent, in support of the bandh against the NEET paper leak and police action. Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav also demanded the release of all detained protesters.
