The Delhi government will drop legal actions against participants in NEET-UG protests and review existing cases following a Supreme Court order [1].
This move provides significant relief to students and activists who demonstrated against alleged irregularities and paper leaks in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test. The decision signals a shift toward leniency for those exercising their right to protest, provided they do not have a history of crime.
The government is currently reviewing 13 FIRs registered against the protesters [1]. This process follows a specific directive from the Supreme Court dated July 28, 2024 [1]. The administration is acting to ensure that legal proceedings do not unfairly penalize students seeking transparency in the medical entrance examination process.
However, the Delhi government included a specific caveat in this assurance. The protection from legal action will not extend to individuals with prior criminal antecedents [1]. Those with established criminal records will not be eligible for the review or the dropping of charges.
The protests, many of which took place at Jantar Mantar, centered on demands for a fair investigation into the NEET-UG exam leaks [2]. By closing these cases, the government aims to resolve the tension between the state and the student community while maintaining a boundary against professional criminality.
Officials from the Chief Minister's office confirmed that the review process is underway to identify which individuals qualify for the relief [1]. The government said the action aligns with the judicial guidance provided by the highest court in the land.
“The Delhi government will drop legal actions against participants in NEET-UG protests”
This decision reflects a judicial and administrative effort to balance public order with the right to protest. By filtering out those with criminal records, the Delhi government is attempting to protect genuine student activists while ensuring that organized criminal elements cannot use student movements as a shield from prosecution.
