Maharashtra Approves Withdrawal of Cases Against NEET Paper Leak Protesters

The Maharashtra government on Wednesday issued a Government Resolution approving the withdrawal of police cases registered against students and protesters who participated in Cockroach Janta Party-led agitations over the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test paper leak. The cases being compiled for withdrawal were registered across Maharashtra, primarily in Mumbai, where large-scale demonstrations were held by students and political activists.

Under the newly issued Government Resolution, cases involving political protests and student demonstrations will be eligible for withdrawal if chargesheets are scheduled to be filed up to March 31, 2027. This decision extends the state's previous cutoff deadline of July 31, 2026. As per standard procedure, police file chargesheets before the court in registered FIRs following the completion of their investigation. The government can formally withdraw registered police cases only after a chargesheet is submitted to the court or after the police present a closure report.

The state home department has been actively compiling details of all cases registered against CJP-supported protests throughout Maharashtra, with a major focus on cases registered in Mumbai. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis recently directed Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Manisha Mhaiskar to initiate the administrative process required to withdraw the police cases filed against protesters during the CJP-led agitations.

The widespread agitations erupted after the NEET paper leak, prompting thousands of students to take to the streets across Maharashtra. Demonstrators demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan during the state-wide protests.

In Mumbai, local police took action against agitators over a seven-day period beginning July 18, during which Mumbai Police registered 16 FIRs against participants. These cases were filed for unlawful assembly under Section 189(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and for violating standing prohibitory orders under Sections 37(1), 37(3), and 135 of the Maharashtra Police Act.