NEW DELHI: In a major relief to students who took to the streets over the NEET examination controversy, the Supreme Court has quashed FIRs registered across the country in connection with protests held between July 20 and 25.
A three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana invoked its extraordinary powers under Article 142 of the Constitution, directing that the FIRs be treated as closed and not pursued further.
The Court stressed that mere participation in a protest should not be allowed to harm the future of students and young people. It also barred the registration of fresh FIRs relating to the specified protests.
However, the relief is not absolute. The Delhi Police has been permitted to proceed against 2,873 individuals identified as having serious criminal antecedents, ensuring that alleged involvement in grave offences does not get shielded merely because it occurred in the backdrop of a protest.
The ruling effectively draws a line between legitimate student dissent and serious criminal conduct, while underscoring that participation in democratic protest should not become a permanent criminal stigma for young people.