Gujarat withdraws all criminal cases against NEET-UG protest participants
The Gujarat government has ordered the withdrawal of all criminal cases registered against students, youth and other participants in protests over the alleged leak of the NEET-UG examination paper. In a communication dated July 31, the State Home Department directed the police not to pursue any legal or penal action against those who took part in the demonstrations.
The Home Department wrote to Director General of Police G.S. Malik, instructing that all First Information Reports (FIRs) and criminal cases registered in connection with the protests be withdrawn immediately. The department also directed the police not to initiate any adverse legal action against students, youth or any other persons who participated in the agitations across Gujarat.
The order follows a Supreme Court judgment on July 28, in which the apex court restrained police from taking coercive action against minor student protesters. Referring to this ruling, the Home Department said the State should ensure that no punitive action is taken against those who participated in the demonstrations.
On Monday, August 3, the Supreme Court further clarified that the expression "criminal antecedents" used in its July 28 order referred only to persons involved in grave and heinous offences. The court said States were free to close or withdraw FIRs against the remaining students in accordance with the law.
Student-led protests had been organised in Ahmedabad and several other cities in Gujarat in solidarity with demonstrations at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi over alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination. Protesters demanded greater accountability in the conduct of the examination and called for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The agitation at Jantar Mantar drew support from students and youth organisations across several States, including Gujarat. Demonstrations were held in Ahmedabad and other parts of the State, where participants raised concerns over the integrity of the national medical entrance examination and sought action against those responsible for the alleged paper leak.
The protests were called off on July 25 after Mr. Pradhan resigned and the Union government accepted the remaining demands of the protestors.
The Gujarat Home Department’s communication, however, did not specify the number of FIRs or criminal cases that would be withdrawn pursuant to the decision. Under the legal process, the withdrawal of such cases will require the permission of the concerned courts, which the police will have to seek in a structured manner. The move is seen as a significant step in ensuring that student protesters are not subjected to punitive legal measures following the Supreme Court’s observations.
