Bihar govt to withdraw cases lodged against protesters over NEET paper leak, release those jailed

The Bihar government on Monday announced that it will withdraw all cases lodged against protesters over the NEET paper leak issue and release those arrested in connection with the demonstrations.

In a statement issued last evening, the state Home Department said “no adverse legal action – punitive/retaliatory" would be taken against anyone who participated in the protests before 6 pm on July 26.

The government said the legal process for withdrawing all FIRs, criminal complaints and show-cause notices against the protesters would be initiated immediately.

"Furthermore, all the persons arrested/detained in connection with the cases... shall be released immediately", the statement said, adding that no action, directly or indirectly, would be taken against them in the future.

According to police, 694 people were detained for enforcing the Bihar bandh called on July 25 by pro-Left student unions. After 339 minors were released, the remaining 355 were booked under relevant laws and were facing trial in courts.

Those arrested during the unrest that began on July 22 included CPI(ML) Liberation MLA Sandeep Saurav and former state minister Tej Pratap Yadav.

The announcement came hours after All India Students' Association (AISA) president Neha Bora met Bihar DGP Vinay Kumar and submitted a memorandum seeking withdrawal of the cases and release of those arrested.

CPI(ML) Liberation general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya welcomed the decision, describing it as "another retreat for the BJP, victory for the people".

Left-wing student organisations had held demonstrations across Bihar on July 25 in support of the statewide bandh over the NEET paper leak issue and alleged police action against protesting students. Some of the protests had turned violent.

Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Assembly Tejashwi Yadav had also demanded the release of protesters detained and arrested during the bandh.