Supreme Court ordered closure of FIRs against students who participated in NEET-UG protests held from July 20 to 25, giving relief to protesters in Maharashtra and other states. A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant used Article 142 powers for the order. The court said FIRs should not be filed for the protests, except cases involving serious offences only.

Mumbai: A sense of relief spread among the students facing criminal cases for participating in protests held between July 20 and 25 over the NEET-UG issue have received major relief, with the Supreme Court directing that the FIRs registered in connection with the demonstrations be closed.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, exercised the court's powers under Article 142 of the Constitution while passing the order.

SC Uses Article 142 Powers

The ruling brings relief to students in Maharashtra as well as those involved in similar protests in Delhi, Bihar, West Bengal and Assam. Maharashtra had approached the Supreme Court seeking the closure of 34 FIRs registered in connection with the protests.