NEET Protest Relief: Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis Asks Home Dept to Withdraw FIRs Against Protesters
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has instructed the state Home Department to initiate the withdrawal of First Information Reports (FIRs) and cases registered against students and activists who participated in recent state-wide protests over the NEET examination controversy.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has instructed the state Home Department to initiate the withdrawal of First Information Reports (FIRs) and cases registered against students and activists who participated in recent state-wide protests over the NEET examination controversy. The decision comes after sustained demands from the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), which led the demonstrations and repeatedly called for the immediate revocation of all police complaints filed against peaceful student protesters.
Relief for Students Facing Legal Uncertainty
The Chief Minister, who also holds the Home portfolio, issued instructions to home department officials on Tuesday to begin the statutory process required to drop the cases. Senior officials confirmed that administrative procedures are underway to execute the directive. CJP Threatens to Resume Protests as Supreme Court Allows FIR Investigations to Continue.
The move brings significant relief to hundreds of students across major cities—including Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, and Nashik—who faced police notices and pending charges after taking to the streets. Legal experts and student bodies had previously raised concerns that active FIRs could derail students' higher education prospects, job opportunities, and international visa applications.
CJP’s Key Demand and Political Context
The withdrawal of cases was a primary condition set by the CJP when it temporarily suspended its nationwide agitation over alleged irregularities in the NEET examinations. CJP leadership had repeatedly urged governments across multiple states to fulfill their commitments, warning that demonstrations would resume if student participants continued to face legal harassment or police action.
The agitation had previously triggered widespread rallies across the country, demanding accountability, systemic reforms in national entrance tests, and political resignations. Bihar Govt Announces To Withdraw FIRs Against NEET Protesters, Release Detainees; CJP Leader Saurav Das Calls It 'Major Victory'.
Legal Procedure for Withdrawal
While the political directive has been issued, state authorities clarified that dropping formal police complaints requires court clearance. Under statutory procedures, state prosecutors will file applications before relevant magistrate courts requesting permission to withdraw prosecution against the identified individuals. Legal proceedings against those without prior criminal antecedents are expected to be formally dropped once judicial consent is granted.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 28, 2026 09:27 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
