Patna, July 28: The Bihar government has initiated the process of withdrawing 64 criminal cases registered across the state during the NEET student agitation and Bihar Bandh, paving the way for the release of students and other protesters who were arrested or detained during the movement.
Following the government’s decision, Advocate General S.D. Sanjay has directed all District Magistrates (DMs) and Public Prosecutors (PPs) to take immediate steps to ensure implementation of the order.
In a communication issued to district authorities, the Advocate General instructed officials to issue necessary directions to the concerned authorities and submit compliance reports to both the state government and the Advocate General’s office without delay.
“All district officials should issue necessary orders to their respective officers to ensure prompt compliance with the government’s decision. A compliance report should be sent to the government and the Advocate General’s office,” the Advocate General said.
According to the Advocate General’s office, the government will withdraw 64 FIRs registered in 19 districts in connection with the student agitation.
Patna accounts for the highest number of cases, with 27 FIRs set to be withdrawn. This is followed by Saran and Siwan with six cases each, Sitamarhi with four, Gopalganj with three, and Begusarai and Katihar with two cases each. One case each will be withdrawn in Kishanganj, Lakhisarai, Aurangabad, Bhagalpur, West Champaran, Purnia, Vaishali, Nalanda, Muzaffarpur, Jehanabad, Darbhanga and Munger.
The move follows an announcement by the Bihar Home Department stating that the process of withdrawing all FIRs, complaints and show-cause notices registered against those associated with the agitation would begin.
“The process of withdrawing all FIRs, complaints and show-cause notices registered against people associated with the movement will be started,” the Home Department had said.
The government also confirmed that those arrested and detained during the agitation would be released.
“Those arrested and detained will also be released soon,” the Home Department said.
Reiterating its assurance to the protesters, the department further stated, “No future action, either direct or indirect, will be taken against those named in the movement.”
The decision marks a significant step by the Bihar government towards closing legal proceedings arising from the statewide NEET-related protests and restoring normalcy after the agitation.
