In a major rollback of police action against students and youth protesting the alleged National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) undergraduate (UG) question paper leak, the governments of Assam and Bihar have announced the withdrawal of criminal cases registered during the demonstrations and ordered the release of those arrested or detained.
The decisions come days after the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) suspended its 49-day nationwide agitation following discussions with the Union government and amid mounting criticism over police action against protesters across several states. The developments also coincide with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) initiating a suo motu inquiry into allegations of excessive force by the Delhi police during student protests at Jantar Mantar.
The Assam government has decided to withdraw all police cases registered against individuals who participated in protests over the alleged NEET question paper leak.
According to an official notification issued late-Monday, five criminal cases had been registered in connection with demonstrations led by students and youth organisations, resulting in the arrest of 13 people.
The notification stated that all those arrested or detained would be released promptly and that no adverse legal action would be initiated against any individual who participated in the protests.
The move effectively reverses the police action taken during the demonstrations and is expected to bring relief to those facing criminal proceedings arising from the agitation.
In a similar decision, the Bihar government announced that it would withdraw all cases lodged against protesters involved in demonstrations over the alleged NEET paper leak and facilitate the release of those jailed under various charges.
A statement issued by the state's home department said no punitive or retaliatory legal action would be taken against any person who participated in protests before 6pm on 26 July 2026.
Police data showed that 694 people had been detained during enforcement of the Bihar bandh called on 25 July 2026 by pro-Left students' unions. After releasing 339 minors, police registered cases against the remaining 355 individuals, who were facing trial before the competent courts.
The state government's decision means these criminal proceedings will now be withdrawn.
Despite the announcements by Assam and Bihar, the Cockroach Janta Party alleged that police action against protesters had continued in several parts of the country in violation of assurances allegedly given by the Union government.
Addressing a joint press conference with member of Parliament (MP) from Rajya Sabha and senior counsel Kapil Sibal, CJP leaders warned that the organisation would resume nationwide protests if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Union government fails to provide a written copy of commitments reportedly made under the 25 July 2026 agreement that led to the suspension of its agitation.
CJP spokesperson Saurav Das alleged that students continued to be arrested, volunteers were harassed, and fresh criminal cases were registered despite assurances that all existing first information reports (FIRs) would be withdrawn and no new cases filed.
He said the organisation would restart its nationwide agitation if the written commitments are not shared by Tuesday. Mr Das also reiterated the Union government's reported commitment to provide the 'maximum possible compensation' to families of alleged NEET paper leak-related suicide victims and consider the party's five-point examination reform charter.
Earlier in the day, CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka alleged on X that hundreds of students had been arrested in Bihar and West Bengal, while volunteers in Delhi and other states were facing surveillance and detention. He demanded immediate withdrawal of all FIRs and an end to fresh police action.
According to CJP, the agreement reached after three rounds of discussions with Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh included withdrawal of FIRs against protesters, protection from further legal action, compensation for victims' families and consideration of examination reforms.
CJP member Ratna Singh alleged that police action had intensified across several states, claiming that multiple FIRs had been registered in Assam, 11 people arrested in Kolkata and 86 detained in Bihar.
The organisation also launched an online platform, 'Saakshi', through which protesters can upload photographs and videos documenting alleged police action.
Mr Sibal announced legal assistance for affected protesters and pledged Rs1 crore to establish a nationwide legal support platform. He also alleged that the Delhi police had used facial recognition technology to identify protesters, raising concerns over surveillance and possible misuse of the technology.
Separately, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of allegations of excessive use of force by the Delhi police during the 20 July 2026 student protest at Jantar Mantar.
In a statement, the Commission said it issued a notice to the Delhi police commissioner seeking a detailed report within two weeks.
NHRC observed that if the allegations were established, they would raise serious concerns regarding the protection of fundamental rights during public demonstrations.
The Commission sought factual details of the incident, justification for imposing prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, details regarding the use of lathi charges, tear gas and pellets, injuries sustained by protesters, medical assistance provided, crowd-control procedures followed and whether any inquiry had been initiated into the proportionality of the police response.
The Commission also directed Delhi police to preserve all CCTV footage and video recordings relating to the incident.
In its order, NHRC emphasised that the right to peaceful protest is a fundamental constitutional right and that any restrictions imposed by the State must be reasonable, while the use of force should remain proportionate and not excessive.
The National Students' Union of India (NSUI) also criticised what it described as excessive police action against students protesting alleged irregularities in competitive examinations.
Addressing a press conference, NSUI national president Vinod Jakhar said the organisation had launched nationwide protests immediately after the alleged NEET paper leak surfaced.
"Our activists faced water cannons, lathi charges and detention, but we did not step back because we were fighting for the future of students," Mr Jakhar said.
The student organisation reiterated its demand for the abolition of the national testing agency (NTA), arguing that repeated examination irregularities had undermined students' confidence in the country's competitive examination system.
The withdrawal of cases by the Assam and Bihar governments marks the first major official reversal of police action taken during the nationwide protests over the alleged NEET paper leak, even as political parties, student organisations and human rights bodies continue to scrutinise the handling of demonstrations across the country.
