2 weeks ago
Supreme Court to Quash FIRs Against Innocent NEET Protesters
The Supreme Court is considering cancelling criminal cases against students who peacefully protested over the NEET paper leak.
The government agrees for innocent protesters but says people with serious earlier criminal cases should still face investigation.
The court said peaceful protest is protected as free speech.
It also said students’ futures should not be harmed because they joined a lawful protest.
Some officials said violent people joined the protests and attacked police.
Bihar said police fired weapons during one incident, but no one was hurt by the AK-47 fire.
Three people were treated for firearm injuries, according to the Bihar government.
A new committee may investigate police actions, attacks, and threats against women protesters.
The court said it would not require protesters to apologize before their cases are cancelled.
The Supreme Court said it would quash FIRs against innocent student protesters involved in the NEET paper-leak movement.
The Centre agreed in principle but sought to exclude 2,873 people with serious pre-existing criminal cases.
Chief Justice Surya Kant said peaceful protesters have legitimate expectations and rights under Article 19.
A proposed committee will examine police action, attacks on security personnel, and threats against women protesters.
Bihar acknowledged firearm use during protests, while 18 senior IPS officers, including two district SPs, were transferred.
- Who
- The Supreme Court, student protesters, the Centre, police departments, and other lawyers involved in the proceedings.
- What
- The court said it would move toward quashing FIRs against innocent protesters while excluding people with serious prior criminal records.
- Where
- The protests occurred across the country, with specific incidents mentioned in Delhi, Bihar, and Siwan.
- When
- The statements were made on Tuesday; the article also refers to incidents on July 20 and July 25.
- Why
- The protests sought Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over the NEET paper leak, while the court sought to protect innocent students’ futures and lawful speech.
Protection for Peaceful Protesters
Accountability for Violence and Prior Crimes
Quashing FIRs
Protection for Peaceful Protesters
The Supreme Court said innocent students and peaceful protesters should not have their futures damaged and should receive protection under Article 19.
Accountability for Violence and Prior Crimes
The Centre supported quashing cases against innocent protesters but argued that cases against people with serious pre-existing criminal records should remain.
Whether protesters should apologize
Protection for Peaceful Protesters
The court refused to require affidavits expressing regret or remorse before quashing FIRs.
Accountability for Violence and Prior Crimes
A petitioners’ lawyer argued that protesters should acknowledge and regret violence, saying there had been no expression of remorse.
Police use of force
Protection for Peaceful Protesters
Lawyers raised concerns about a police crackdown, retaliatory attacks on security personnel, and online sexual threats against women protesters; these issues may be examined by the proposed committee.
Accountability for Violence and Prior Crimes
Delhi and Bihar police denied using excessive force and said they acted to prevent escalation or in self-defence after alleged attacks by anti-social elements.
Key facts
- Protest issue
- The movement sought Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over the NEET paper leak.
- Proposed legal action
- FIRs against innocent student protesters would be quashed.
- Excluded group
- The Centre identified 2,873 people with serious criminal antecedents predating the protests.
- Serious offences cited
- The Centre referred to prior cases involving rape, murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, and extortion.
- Proposed committee
- The committee may include former Supreme Court and high court judges, a former state DGP, and a former CBI director.
- Bihar police action
- The state said a constable fired an AK-47 into the air during one incident; no one was injured by that firing.
- Police transfers
- Bihar transferred 18 senior IPS officers, including the SPs of Bhojpur and Siwan.
Quotes
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant
Chief Justice of India
“It is a question of the life and future of innocent students. Even if they have staged protests… they have legitimate expectations from the system. Let us not forget their right under Article 19 (right to free speech and expression).”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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