NEET protests: Supreme Court quashes FIRs against students across country using Article 142

The Supreme Court on Tuesday used its extraordinary powers under Article 142 of the Constitution to quash FIRs registered across the country against students who took part in protests over the NEET examination controversy.

The order followed assurances from the Centre that cases linked to the student agitation would be withdrawn and that protesters would not be targeted in connection with the protests.

FIRs against NEET protesters quashed

The Centre had approached the Supreme Court seeking the quashing of 13 FIRs registered in Delhi in connection with the NEET paper leak protests. It had also sought permission to register a fresh FIR against 2,873 people who were present at the protest site to investigate their alleged involvement in violence.

The Solicitor General of India, Tushar Mehta, told the court that the Centre, along with the states of Bihar, Assam, West Bengal and Maharashtra, had filed applications seeking to quash FIRs related to the student protests.

The applications also assured that no fresh FIRs would be registered in connection with protest-related events between July 20 and July 25, Mehta said.

One FIR allowed to continue

The Supreme Court, however, allowed Delhi Police to proceed with one FIR involving 2,873 individuals who were present at the Jantar Mantar protests, citing their serious criminal antecedents.

During the hearing, a bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said the issue could be resolved if both sides approached discussions with trust. Mehta responded that both sides had dealt with the matter constructively.

"We are not enemies," he added.

CJP withdraws September 5 march

Following the Centre's assurances and the court's order, the CJP decided to withdraw its proposed September 5 march in Delhi.

CJP spokesperson Saurav Das told the court, "In view of the positive assurances of the Government of India and the judicial sanctity bestowed upon them today, and in view of the order being passed by this Court, the CJP deems it appropriate to withdraw the call for the march on September 5 and looks forward to compliance with today's order. I also thank the Court for this decision and the learned counsel on both sides."

Centre given three months on compensation

Mehta also told the court that the Centre remained committed to providing compensation to families of students who died by suicide following the cancellation of the NEET-UG 2026 exam.

The Centre sought three months to work out the modalities, and the Supreme Court directed it to complete the process within that period.