New Delhi, July 29: The governments of Bihar and Assam have announced steps to withdraw criminal cases and halt further legal action against people who participated in protests linked to alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination.
In Bihar, the state Home Department said it would begin the required legal process to withdraw First Information Reports (FIRs), criminal complaints and show-cause notices issued against protesters in connection with incidents reported before 6 pm on July 26.
The department said individuals arrested or detained in cases registered before the specified cut-off would be released. It also stated that no further direct or indirect action would be taken in relation to incidents occurring before the deadline.The withdrawal of cases will be carried out in accordance with the applicable legal procedures, officials said.
In Assam, the Home and Political Department said cases had been registered in connection with the protests, leading to the arrest of 13 people.The state government has decided that police authorities will not initiate further adverse action against those involved in the demonstrations, according to an official statement.
The government said the process of withdrawing the cases would be started promptly under the law, irrespective of the stage at which the proceedings currently stand.It added that no further action was proposed against the individuals involved and that the matter would be treated as closed after the completion of the necessary legal process.
The decisions by the two state governments are expected to provide relief to people facing police cases and other proceedings in connection with the protests over the alleged NEET-UG examination irregularities.
