In a significant development, the Supreme Court on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, quashed all FIRs registered across India in connection with the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP)-led protests held between July 20 and 25 over the NEET paper-leak controversy. A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, invoked Article 142 of the Constitution to allow applications filed by the Centre, Delhi Police, and the governments of Maharashtra, Assam, Bihar, and West Bengal.
The Court held that all FIRs mentioned in the applications stood quashed, and that any other FIR registered anywhere in the country relating to the same protest incidents, even if not formally placed before it, would be treated as closed for all intents and purposes. The CJI remarked that, keeping in view the future of young protesters who had bona fide participated, the Court found it a fit case to invoke Article 142.
The order carves out a narrow exception. Delhi Police was granted liberty to register one fresh FIR against 2,873 individuals identified as having criminal antecedents, limited strictly to allegations of bodily harm or destruction of public property, not for mere participation, unlawful assembly, or rioting. The Court clarified no further FIR could be filed in relation to the same incident.
The Centre was also directed to formulate, within three months, a pan-India policy on compensation for families of students who died by suicide over the 2026 NEET issue, which states would then be expected to adopt as a standing mechanism. The Court noted these directions were issued in the peculiar facts of the case and were not to be treated as precedent.
Following the order, CJP leader Saurav Das confirmed the party was withdrawing its planned September 5 protest march. Das, who was present in the Court said, “As co-convener of the CJP, I want to state that in view of the positive assurances of the Government of India and the judicial sanctity bestowed upon them today, and in view of the order being passed by this Court, the CJP deems it appropriate to withdraw the call for the march on September 5 and looks forward to compliance with today’s order. I also thank the Court for this decision and the learned counsel on both sides, Ms. Vrinda Grover and the Solicitor General, for their efforts.”
