The Bihar government on Monday announced the withdrawal of cases registered against students in connection with recent protests over the NEET paper leak issue and directed the immediate release of those detained during the agitation.
In a notification issued by the Home Department, the state government said no punitive or retaliatory action would be taken against any individual who participated in the protests before 6 pm on July 26, 2026, across Bihar.
The department further directed that all persons arrested or detained in connection with cases registered before the stipulated deadline be released immediately.
Widespread Student Protests In Bihar
The decision follows days of unrest across Bihar triggered by the July 20 police action against protesters near Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. Student organisations subsequently intensified demonstrations across the state, culminating in a Bihar Bandh on July 25
Earlier in the day, Bihar Police said 694 people were detained during the bandh, nearly half of them minors, for attempting to enforce the shutdown. According to police, the protests turned violent in several places, leaving 91 police personnel and government officials, two administrative officers and 13 civilians injured.
AK-47 Firing Row Sparks Political Storm
Bihar Police later suspended Constable Abhishek Kumar, who was deployed near J.P. Chowk in Siwan city. According to the police, the constable fired four rounds into the air after security personnel were allegedly surrounded by bandh supporters.
The incident triggered sharp political reactions, with Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav questioning the circumstances under which the weapon was used and demanding accountability from the state government.
Tejashwi Yadav had earlier demanded the release of detained students and the withdrawal of all criminal cases registered against them, warning that the Opposition would launch a larger movement if the government failed to act.
“Discarding all democratic traditions, AK-47s were used to fire at protesting students for the first time in the country,” he alleged.
The RJD leader also claimed that despite an understanding reached with student representatives, thousands of students were being detained, criminal cases were being filed against them and their families were facing harassment. “If the students are not released, the NDA government will have to pay a heavy political price,” he said.
CJP Warns of Fresh Nationwide Protests if Detainees Not Released, FIRs Not Withdrawn
CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said the outfit would be “compelled to launch protests again” if the government failed to honour commitments allegedly made during talks held on July 25.
According to Ranka, during the third round of discussions with BJP president J.P. Nadda and Union Minister Jitendra Singh, it was agreed that all FIRs registered against protesters and organisers in connection with the July 20 Jantar Mantar protest and related demonstrations across the country would be withdrawn.
He also claimed that both sides had agreed that no new FIRs would be filed against protesters or organisers in the future.
The CJP spokesperson said the outfit had submitted a written draft of the proposed agreement to the government and was awaiting a formal written response.
“It was agreed that the government would share its written copy of the agreement with us by Tuesday. After both sides’ lawyers review and align on the draft, the agreement will be finalised,” he said.
Issuing an ultimatum, the CJP leader said the party would resume its agitation if the written agreement was not shared and detained protesters were not released.
“If the government does not share the written agreement by tomorrow, and if students, youth and protesters who have been arrested or detained in different states are not released, the Cockroach Janta Party will once again be compelled to launch protests,” Ranka said.
The warning comes days after the CJP suspended its agitation following the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, one of the key demands raised by the movement.
