Bihar moves to withdraw protest FIRs, drop legal action

Wait 5 sec.

Days after mass protests against the alleged NEET paper leaks and amid reports of detentions of demonstrators, Bihar government on Monday said it has decided to not take any punitive or legal action.In a statement, the government said no “punitive, retaliatory, or adverse legal action” will be taken against any person who participated in these protests in Bihar “prior to 6:00 PM on July 26, 2026”.The statement comes hours after the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) warned of fresh protests over multiple reports of FIRs being filed against protestors and several being detained.CJP core member Ashutosh Ranka demanded that all FIRs against the protestors “be immediately withdrawn, students be released and no future FIRs be filed (in line with our agreement) by Delhi police / Central investigative agencies / Police in BJP-allied states.”Ranka also shared the demand that “the written agreement around legal cases be shared with us by tomorrow, the aligned timelines with the Government of India.”The widespread protests were held over alleged irregularities in the NEET/UG examinations and the demand for reform and accountability within the examination system and higher education sector.Also Read | ‘Came to get certificate, got shot at’: 3 sustain bullet injuries as protesters, police clash in BiharWhat Bihar governemnt saidStory continues below this adA legal process will be initiated to “immediately” withdraw all “FIRs (First Information Reports), formal complaints, or show cause notices registered against individuals prior to 6:00 PM on July 26, 2026, during the said protests.”At the same time, those arrested or detained in related cases before 6:00 PM on July 26, 2026, will be released “expeditiously,” the order said.It also said that no “direct or indirect action” will be taken in the future against any individuals named in cases registered before 6:00 PM on July 26, 2026.How many still in detentionA total of 694 people were taken into custody across the state during the protests on July 25, 2026.Story continues below this adOf those detained, 339 were minors and students, who were released after verification.A total of 355 persons involved in violent incidents were produced before the competent court and a same number remains in detention.In the incidents of July 25, 2026, 91 police officers and personnel were injured. Among those injured were the Superintendents of Police (SPs) of Siwan and Sitamarhi, as well as two Sub-Divisional Police Officers (SDPOs).Several station house officers (SHOs) also suffered head injuries. The SHO of Gandhi Maidan police station sustained serious injuries. Fourteen government vehicles were damaged, one was set on fire, and 13 civilians were also injured.