Booked over NEET paper leak protest, 49 get interim relief from Allahabad High Court

‘Matter requires consideration’

The petitioners told the court that some of them were students from weaker sections of society and had been peacefully protesting against the leak of the medical entrance examination paper and the rise in the basic price index. They alleged that the criminal case was motivated by political vendetta and that their prosecution was malicious and not bona fide.

The state opposed the petition. However, the court noted that the additional government advocate representing the state could not dislodge the factual and legal submissions of the petitioners in support of their plea.

“Having heard the learned counsel for petitioners, the learned AGA representing State/respondents 1, 2 and 3 and upon perusal of record we find that matter requires consideration,” the court said.

The court issued notice to the first informant and directed the respondents to file their counter affidavits within four weeks. The petitioners were given two weeks thereafter to file their rejoinder affidavits. As an interim measure, the bench directed that the petitioners shall not be arrested in connection with the FIR until further orders of the court.

The court directed the matter to be listed for admission before the appropriate bench on October 7, 2026.

Supreme court’s order

Earlier this month, a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant had said the respective state governments can close or withdraw cases against students booked for participating in protests against paper leaks in Delhi and other states. This relief, however, would not extend to those named in “grave and heinous” criminal cases in the past, the bench underlined.

The bench comprising CJI and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana had passed the order while hearing a batch of pleas alleging police excesses during the July 20 Sansad Chalo march to Parliament.