Assam, Bihar Drop Cases Against NEET Protesters After CJP Warns of Fresh Agitation

Assam, Bihar Withdraw Cases Against NEET Protesters After CJP Warns of Fresh Agitation

The governments of Assam and Bihar have announced the withdrawal of cases filed against people who participated in protests over alleged irregularities in the NEET (UG) examination, days after the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) warned it would revive its agitation if legal action against students and demonstrators was not dropped.

The decisions come after discussions between CJP leaders and the government following the conclusion of the party’s 36-day protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.

Assam to Withdraw Five Cases

The Assam government on Monday said it would withdraw all five cases registered in connection with the NEET protests.

According to the state Home Department, no adverse legal action will be taken against those who participated in the demonstrations, and the process of withdrawing the cases will begin in accordance with legal procedures.

The government also said arrests made in connection with the protests would be reviewed, and those detained would be released after the required formalities.

As of 6 pm on July 26, at least 13 people had been arrested in the five cases.

Bihar Announces Similar Relief

The Bihar government also ordered the withdrawal of cases against NEET protesters and directed the release of those arrested during the demonstrations.

In a statement, the state Home Department said no punitive or retaliatory action would be taken against individuals who took part in protests before 6 pm on July 26. It added that FIRs, criminal complaints and show-cause notices filed against protesters would be withdrawn.

Police said 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 people were booked under various legal provisions.

The government said all those arrested or detained in connection with the protests would be released immediately, with no further legal action to follow.

CJP Had Warned of Renewed Protests

The announcements came after the CJP demanded the withdrawal of all FIRs registered against students, organisers and supporters involved in the NEET agitation.

CJP national spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said the issue was discussed during talks with the government on July 25, before the party ended its 36-day protest at Jantar Mantar.

According to Ranka, the government had agreed to withdraw existing cases and ensure that no fresh FIRs would be registered against protesters. He said the party was awaiting a written assurance after legal consultations.

“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 will be harassed, and no cases will be filed in future,” Ranka said.

He added that the CJP would resume its agitation if the assurances were not implemented or if those arrested during the protests were not released.