In a significant reversal after widespread student protests over alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination, the Bihar government has announced that it will withdraw cases filed against protesters and release those detained during the agitation.
The state government outlined four major assurances covering legal action taken against participants in the protests before 6 pm on July 26, 2026.
NO PUNITIVE ACTION AGAINST PROTESTERS
The Bihar government said that no punitive, retaliatory or adverse legal action would be taken against individuals who participated in the student protests until 6 pm on July 26.
FIRS AND NOTICES TO BE WITHDRAWN
The government also said it would immediately begin the process of withdrawing all FIRs, complaints and show-cause notices registered before the July 26, 6 pm deadline.
DETAINEES TO BE RELEASED
It further announced that everyone arrested or detained in connection with cases filed before the deadline would be released as soon as possible.
NO FUTURE LEGAL ACTION
The state also assured that no direct or indirect legal proceedings would be initiated in the future against those named in cases registered before 6 pm on July 26.
The announcement comes amid escalating political tensions in Bihar over the government's response to protests linked to alleged examination irregularities.
Opposition parties had accused the state administration of using excessive force against demonstrators and demanded that all criminal cases against the protesters be dropped.
On Sunday, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav had issued an ultimatum to the government, giving it until Monday midnight to withdraw all FIRs filed against student protesters.
In a post on X, Yadav said the government had been formally informed of the demand and warned that a statewide protest would begin at 7 am on July 29 if no action was taken.
BIHAR POLICE RESPONDS ON AK-47 FIRING
The Bihar Police Headquarters also released a statement regarding the AK-47 firing during the July 25 student protests in Siwan, confirming that the constable involved had been suspended and disciplinary proceedings initiated.
According to the police, the incident occurred near JP Chowk after bandh supporters allegedly surrounded security personnel stationed there. The police said Constable Abhishek Kumar fired four rounds into the air from his AK-47 "to protect lives and government property."
Officials maintained that no one in the crowd at JP Chowk was injured during the firing.
Constable Abhishek Kumar has since been suspended, and a departmental inquiry has been launched into the incident.
The government's latest announcement is expected to ease tensions ahead of the proposed agitation, though it remains unclear whether the Opposition will withdraw its call for a statewide protest in light of these assurances.
