Supreme Court Just Quashed 2,700 FIRs: NEET Protesters Win as Detained Minors Released

The Supreme Court of India has moved to quash First Information Reports filed against students who participated in NEET paper leak protests at Jantar Mantar. The court ordered the release of detained minors and those without criminal records.

Over 2,700 FIRs were registered against protesters following the NEET-UG controversy. The Supreme Court clarified that states can withdraw these FIRs in accordance with established legal procedures.

A High-Powered Committee was constituted to investigate allegations of police excesses. Reports documented “blank arrest memos” — arrest documents filed without specifying charges. Protesters were branded with “tadipar” jibes, a form of social ostracism.

Women protesters faced threats, doxing, and criminalization after the protests ended. Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned amid a CBI probe into the paper leak.

The court directed the release of student protesters below 18 years and those with no criminal records, providing immediate relief.