Supreme Court Quashes FIRs, CJP Cancels NEET Protest March in Delhi

The controversy began with widespread student protests following the leak of the NEET-UG question paper. Many students were angered by the handling of the exam and alleged irregularities, prompting demonstrations across the country.

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a youth-focused political group, quickly became a leading voice in organizing these protests. As police responded with FIRs against many participants, calls for justice and the withdrawal of criminal cases grew louder. The CJP announced a major protest march in Delhi on September 5 to demand action and highlight the grievances of affected students.

On August 31, the Supreme Court notified the Centre and Delhi Police about the planned CJP march but declined to hear the matter urgently, stating there were no grounds for early intervention (India News, Bar and Bench). The Court made clear it would not block the protest, instead expecting peaceful conduct from all parties (Business Line, Scroll.in).

At the same time, the Centre and Delhi Police requested the Supreme Court to quash FIRs filed against NEET protesters, citing national interest and the need to avoid further harm to students (Times of India, Indian Express). Security preparations in Delhi ramped up, with police monitoring potential participants and emphasizing that the protest had not received official permission (The Hindu).

On September 1, the Supreme Court used its special powers under Article 142 to quash all FIRs against students involved in the NEET protests across the country (Mint, Scroll.in, India News). The Court allowed exceptions for individuals with prior criminal records (Swarajya). The bench, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, remarked that this step would protect students and young people from lasting harm due to criminal cases (India News).

Following these developments, and after the Centre assured the CJP that the FIRs would be withdrawn, the party decided to call off its planned September 5 march in Delhi (The Hindu, Mint). CJP leaders called the Supreme Court's move a historic act of justice for the affected students (India Today, Times of India).

With the Supreme Court's order, all FIRs related to the NEET protest have been quashed nationwide, except for those involving individuals with existing criminal records. The CJP has withdrawn its call for the September 5 protest march, and the situation has calmed significantly.

Student activists and CJP leaders have welcomed the court's decision, describing it as a major victory for youth protests and fair treatment in the legal system. The government and police have also stood down from emergency preparations in Delhi.