The Delhi government has decided not to pursue any further legal action against people booked during protests over the alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination, marking a significant shift in its approach to the demonstrations.
In a statement issued with the approval of the Delhi Lieutenant Governor, the government said it "does not propose any further action" against the protesters and will treat the matter as closed.
NDTV reported that the decision follows the Supreme Court's July 28 order and comes with one key exception. The relief will not extend to individuals with criminal antecedents, the government clarified.
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Delhi Police had registered 13 cases linked to the NEET-UG protests as of 6 p.m. on July 29, according to the government.
Authorities will also review arrests and detentions made in connection with the protests, with the release process to be carried out expeditiously wherever applicable, the statement said.
The move effectively ends further legal proceedings against eligible protesters while aligning the government's response with the Supreme Court's directions.
Earlier on Tuesday, threatening to resume protests for the second time in as many days, the Cockroach Janta Party said the Supreme Court had allowed the police to proceed with existing FIRs and expressed apprehension that the government would "weaponise" this against protesters and harass them.
NDTV meanwhile reported that hearing a batch of petitions against the alleged use of excessive force against students who were staging protests against paper leaks at Jantar Mantar in Delhi and other places, a bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant directed that no coercive action should be taken against peaceful protesters. It ordered the release of those detained who had no prior criminal record.
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In a post on X on Tuesday evening, CJP Spokesperson Saurav Das said the order "must ring alarm bells across the country".
"This direction stands in direct contradiction to the solemn assurance and guarantee extended by the Government of India to the youth of this nation on 25 July 2026, namely, that the FIRs would be withdrawn and that no protester would be directly or indirectly targeted for participating in the peaceful movement. It was on the strength of that solemn assurance, and in complete good faith, that the Cockroach Janta Party called off its nationwide protest," Das wrote.
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