Centre tells SC it's committed not to take action against students over NEET protests
The Supreme Court said states may withdraw protest-related FIRs against eligible students as the Centre reaffirmed its commitment to protect participants
The Centre on Monday (August 3) told the Supreme Court that it remained committed to its assurance that students who participated in the nationwide protests over examination paper leaks would not face punitive legal action.
The submission came during the hearing of petitions arising from the protests, after concerns were raised over FIRs registered in multiple states despite the government's earlier assurance.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which had spearheaded the agitation demanding accountability for paper leaks and reforms in the examination system, suspended its nationwide protest last month after the Centre assured that no adverse action would be taken against participants.
Centre reiterates assurance
Appearing for the Centre, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court that the government's position on the issue had not changed.
"There was some misapprehension or miscommunication about what to do with the FIRs against the protesters. I have instructions to say that the government is serious on that commitment to students," Mehta said as quoted by NDTV.
Plea for clarity
Senior advocate Vrinda Grover sought clarity on whether the criminal cases would be formally withdrawn or quashed.
She submitted that the issue extended beyond individual prosecutions and concerned the future of students who had joined the demonstrations.
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"These are young people who have their lives ahead of them. Even for quashing, we have FIRs in Bihar, Bengal, Assam, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi. After this has been worked out with the states, we will come back to this court," she said.
Responding to the concern, Mehta said the Centre would honour its assurance through whatever legal mechanism was available.
Whichever legally permissible way it may be done, Mehta added, the government stands by its commitment.
SC clarifies on ‘criminal antecedents’
The apex court also clarified that the governments of Delhi and other states can close or withdraw FIRs against students who participated in protests against the NEET paper leak, provided they do not have antecedents involving grave and heinous offences.
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A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana also made it clear that the expression "criminal antecedents" referred only to grave and heinous offences.
Court's earlier directions
The hearing followed a series of interim directions issued by the Supreme Court last week after allegations of excessive police action during protests in Delhi and several states.
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A Bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant directed authorities not to take coercive action against students named in protest-related FIRs, ordered the release of those without criminal antecedents, and sought preservation of CCTV footage, body-camera recordings and other electronic records connected to the demonstrations.
The court further stated that protesters' personal data should not be disclosed while it considered pleas seeking an independent inquiry into allegations of police excesses.
(With agency inputs)