Supreme Court Halts New FIRs in NEET Protest Cases, Orders Case Closures

The Supreme Court has intervened in the legal proceedings stemming from nationwide protests against the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for undergraduate medical programmes, ordering a halt to the filing of new First Information Reports linked to demonstrations held between July 20-25. The bench directed authorities to close cases registered during this period, citing concerns over the proliferation of cases against protesters. The court's directive aims to provide relief to a large section of individuals detained or booked during the agitation, which saw widespread participation across multiple states demanding action over alleged irregularities in the examination conduct. The ruling underscores the judiciary's concern about the administrative burden created by multiple FIRs against the same individuals for similar protest-related activities. However, the court made a significant exception, permitting investigative agencies to proceed with cases against approximately 2,873 individuals accused of serious criminal offences, including violence, property damage, or other grave violations during the unrest. These cases will continue to be processed through normal legal channels. The decision balances the citizens' constitutional right to peaceful protest with the need to address genuine criminal conduct, reflecting judicial restraint in distinguishing between legitimate dissent and unlawful activities. The order is expected to provide significant relief to students and activists who participated in the demonstrations, many of whom faced multiple registrations across different police jurisdictions.