SRINAGAR: The Supreme Court on Tuesday quashed all FIRs registered against students who took part in the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led protests between July 20 and 25, saying the criminal cases should not come in the way of their future.
The court also directed the Centre to formulate a nationwide policy for compensation to families of students who died by suicide in connection with the NEET-2026 paper leak and make payments to the affected families within three months.
A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, invoked its powers under Article 142 of the Constitution to close the criminal proceedings against the protesters.
“Keeping in view the future prospects of the young protesters, we invoke our powers under Article 142 of the Constitution to do complete justice,” the bench said.
The order followed a submission by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that the Centre and the governments of Maharashtra, Assam, Bihar and West Bengal had agreed to withdraw the FIRs registered in connection with the protests.
The court widened the relief to cover any FIR registered in any state or Union Territory in connection with the same protests between July 20 and 25, directing that such cases should not be pursued and would be treated as closed.
However, the court allowed Delhi Police to register fresh FIRs against 2,873 people with serious criminal antecedents who were present at the Jantar Mantar protest.
The fresh cases, the court said, would be limited to allegations involving bodily harm and destruction of property. Those named would retain the right to seek remedies available under law.
The CJP welcomed the ruling and announced that it would withdraw its proposed September 5 march in Delhi.
CJP co-convener Saurav Das told the court that the group had decided to call off the march in view of the government assurances and the court’s order.
The proposed march, planned for Teachers’ Day, was to press the government over demands arising from the 36-day agitation against alleged irregularities in examinations and the NEET paper leak.
The agitation had begun at Jantar Mantar on June 20 and spread to several cities. The CJP had demanded action over the alleged examination irregularities, including the NEET paper leak, and sought the resignation of then Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The protests turned tense in Delhi on July 20 when demonstrators attempting to move towards Parliament clashed with security personnel. Police used lathis and tear gas to disperse the crowd.
The agitation was called off on July 25 after the resignation of Pradhan and the government’s acceptance of several demands raised by the protesters.
The Supreme Court’s order also addressed the issue of students who died by suicide in connection with the NEET paper leak.
The bench directed the Union government to formulate a policy on compensation applicable across the country and circulate it to the states and concerned authorities. The policy is to be framed within three months, after which compensation would be paid to the affected families.
During the hearing, Mehta said the Centre remained committed to the assurances given to the protesters on July 25, including that police would not pursue the FIRs registered over the agitation.
The court said its decision to invoke Article 142 was based on the particular circumstances of the case and made it clear that both sides would have to honour the understanding reached before it.
Union Health Minister J P Nadda later welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision and said the government considered the welfare and progress of young people a priority.
Nadda said he and Union minister Jitendra Singh had met representatives of the protesting students on July 25 and assured them that the cases registered against them would be withdrawn and no stringent action would be taken.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke described the Supreme Court order as a major victory for the protesters and said the government should ensure that no student loses their life because of failures in the examination system.
Advocate Vrinda Grover, who represented the CJP, said the ruling recognised the importance of the right to protest and seek accountability in a democracy.
The Supreme Court had taken up a Delhi Police plea seeking the quashing of 13 FIRs against students involved in the protests and permission to register a fresh case against individuals with serious criminal antecedents.
The court had earlier constituted a high-powered committee to examine allegations linked to the nationwide agitation, including claims of police excesses against students.
With Tuesday’s order, the CJP has withdrawn its September 5 protest call and said it would now wait for the government to implement the assurances recorded before the Supreme Court.
