West Bengal Drops State Charges Against NEET Protesters While Press Assault Cases Persist

Judicial Relief for Detained Demonstrators

A city court granted bail to 16 individuals on Tuesday following the West Bengal government’s decision to withdraw its primary FIR against participants of a July 24 protest. The Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court ordered the release of the accused on bonds of Rs 500 each. These individuals were held in judicial custody after a rally in the Esplanade area of Kolkata turned volatile. The demonstration, organized by the Students Federation of India (SFI) and the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), sought the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan internalizing grievances over NEET paper leak allegations.

The Legal Discrepancy: State Charges vs. Media Assaults

While the West Bengal Home and Hill Affairs Department issued a formal order to drop the state-led prosecution, the legal shield is not absolute. Legal proceedings will continue regarding six other FIRs filed based on specific complaints from journalists who were attacked during the event. The department's directive specifically outlines the following conditions:

• No coercive measures will target students protesting NEET (UG) Examination irregularities.
• Legal protections are withheld from any individuals with existing criminal records.
• Charges related to the physical assault and heckling of members of the press remain active.

This move follows a protest by the CJP, which insisted the Union government honor an agreement to dismiss cases against demonstrators. Similar legal withdrawals were reported in Bihar and Assam earlier this week.

Political Reversal and the Public Safety Act

The decision to drop the suo motu FIR marks a shift in the administration's stance. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had previously suggested that those involved in the violence would face the West Bengal Public Safety and Control of Anti-Social Activities Act, 2026. This legislation, frequently dubbed the Goonda Act, allows for preventive detention for up to a year without immediate legal recourse. Despite this initial threat, the state pivoted toward leniency for the student contingent while maintaining a hard line on media safety. On Monday, journalists submitted a formal memorandum to the Chief Minister demanding better protection after multiple reporters sustained injuries during the July 24 scuffle.

Source: The Hindu — Home