Maharashtra Withdraws NEET-UG Protest Cases

The Maharashtra government has decided to withdraw all criminal cases and prosecutions registered against students and others who participated in protests over alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination.

The Home Department issued an official directive on Friday, instructing police authorities to stop all adverse legal action against students, youth, and other citizens who took part in the protests. The directive, signed by Joint Secretary Rajendra Holkar, directs police to initiate the legal process for withdrawing all pending First Information Reports (FIRs) and prosecutions.

The order states that no adverse legal or punitive action shall be taken against any student, youth, or other individuals involved in the said protests. It further instructs police authorities to complete the necessary legal formalities and move courts for the withdrawal of pending cases.

The protests had taken place across Maharashtra, including in Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and Kolhapur, following allegations of irregularities in the NEET-UG examination. While the demonstrations sought greater transparency and accountability in the examination process, police in several districts had registered cases against student organisers and participants, citing offences such as unlawful assembly and violations of public order.

Advocate Abid Abbas Sayyed, who has been providing legal assistance to several protesters, welcomed the government's decision. He said the demonstrations in Mumbai had remained peaceful and that there was no damage to public property or physical violence during the protests. Sayyed added that his legal team has been assisting protesters booked by the Shivaji Park, Mankhurd, Chembur, and Andheri police stations, among others.

The decision to withdraw the cases is being carried out in accordance with earlier government resolutions dated September 20, 2022, and July 21, 2026, relating to the withdrawal of criminal cases arising out of public protests. Following the Home Department's directive, police commissioners and district superintendents are expected to file applications before the respective magistrate courts to formally withdraw all pending criminal cases against the protesters.

This move is expected to bring relief to hundreds of students and others who were booked during the protests. The government's decision is seen as a positive step towards protecting the rights of citizens to peaceful protest.

The withdrawal of cases will also help to reduce the burden on the judicial system, which is already dealing with a large number of pending cases. The move is also expected to boost the morale of students and others who participate in peaceful protests, as they will no longer face the fear of criminal prosecution.

In conclusion, the Maharashtra government's decision to withdraw all criminal cases and prosecutions registered against NEET-UG protesters is a significant step towards upholding the rights of citizens to peaceful protest. The move is expected to bring relief to hundreds of students and others who were booked during the protests and will help to reduce the burden on the judicial system.