CJP calls off Sept 5 protest march after Centre assures withdrawal of FIRs against NEET protesters

New Delhi: CJP on Tuesday called off its proposed protest march scheduled for September 5 after the Centre assured the Supreme Court that FIRs registered against students and others who participated in protests over the NEET-UG paper leak would not be pursued.

The decision came during the Supreme Court hearing on petitions seeking the quashing of FIRs filed against students involved in the protests.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana was hearing pleas by the Delhi Police and the governments of Assam, Maharashtra, West Bengal and Bihar invoking Article 142.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court that discussions between the Centre and protesters had resulted in three key assurances.

He said existing FIRs against students would be withdrawn, no fresh FIRs would be registered, and compensation would be provided in cases involving students who died by suicide.

Mehta further told the court that the Centre had assured protesters that FIRs related to incidents between July 20 and 25 would not be pursued and no fresh cases would be registered for the same period.

However, the Solicitor General also raised concerns over the alleged presence of 2,873 people with serious criminal antecedents at the NEET protest. He said the Delhi Police was seeking permission to register a fresh FIR against these individuals and investigate their alleged involvement in offences related to bodily harm or property damage.

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On compensation, Mehta said the government remained committed to providing relief in cases involving students who died by suicide. He sought three months to finalise the modalities in consultation with states and other stakeholders.

Following the Centre's assurances, CJP spokesperson and co-convener Saurav Das informed the Supreme Court that the organisation would withdraw its proposed September 5 protest march.

Reading out the organisation's statement, Das said CJP had decided to withdraw the call in view of the Centre's assurances and the judicial sanctity of the Supreme Court's order.

He said the organisation would abide by the court's directions and thanked the court, lawyers representing both sides and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta for their efforts.

The withdrawal of the protest call comes after the Centre's assurance that cases against students participating in the NEET protest would not be pursued, while leaving open the possibility of action against individuals accused of involvement in violence or property damage.