SC invokes Article 142, orders closure of CJP protests FIRs
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court Tuesday issued ruling for closure of all FIRs registered nationwide regarding student protests tied to the NEET paper leak incident that transpired between July 20 and 25. The court has ordered that these cases should neither be pursued nor investigated effectively deeming them closed.
This directive encompassed FIRs from various entities including the Centre, Delhi Police and state governments of Bihar, West Bengal, Maharashtra and Assam with the ruling extended across the entire country. The Supreme Court underscored that this decision considers the future of the students who participated in these protests in good faith.
An exception however was made for the Delhi Police, which is permitted to continue the investigation of one FIR concerning 2,873 persons involved in protests at Jantar Mantar area in New Delhi due to their criminal records. The bench—composed of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana—issued these orders under the special powers conferred by Article 142 of the Constitution, while clarifying that this ruling is specific to the unusual circumstances of the situation and should not set a legal precedent.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, informed the court that a policy to compensate the families of students who took their own lives following the cancellation of NEET-UG 2026 would be developed within three months. Meanwhile the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) announced the withdrawal of its planned protest in Delhi on September 5, a decision essentially influenced by the government's initiatives to retract cases against protestors.
The government has expressed support for the CJP's decision to cancel the protest. Union Minister JP Nadda confirmed that the Centre has been in consultation with state governments affiliated with the BJP pledging to uphold these assurances.
Nadda underscored that the government's primary focus remains on the progress and development of youth.