The Delhi government announced it will not take adverse legal action against protesters who demonstrated against the NEET-UG exam paper leak [1].
This decision follows a Supreme Court order dated July 28, 2024, which restrained police from taking coercive action against the demonstrators [1]. The move provides significant relief to students and activists who gathered at Jantar Mantar to demand accountability for the alleged exam breaches [2].
The Delhi Home Department said it will conduct a review of all 13 FIRs registered against the protesters [1]. According to the government, the review process aims to ensure that legal proceedings are aligned with the judiciary's directives [1].
Officials said that the government will expedite the release of individuals currently in custody who do not have prior criminal antecedents [1]. This measure is intended to prevent further legal hardship for students involved in the civil unrest [2].
The protests centered at Jantar Mantar had become a focal point for students nationwide who alleged that the integrity of the medical entrance exam was compromised [2]. The government's decision to halt adverse action marks a shift in the handling of these specific demonstrations, moving from police enforcement to judicial compliance [1].
By reviewing the 13 cases [1], the administration seeks to resolve the legal deadlock created by the arrests during the protests. The government's assurance aims to stabilize the situation in the capital while the broader investigation into the paper leak continues [2].
“The Delhi government announced it will not take adverse legal action against protesters”
This shift in policy demonstrates the immediate impact of judicial oversight on executive police action in India. By aligning with the Supreme Court's restraint on 'coercive action,' the Delhi government is prioritizing the decriminalization of student activism over the pursuit of public order charges, potentially setting a precedent for how similar exam-related protests are handled in the future.
