Maharashtra Chief Minister directs withdrawal of FIRs against NEET protesters

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Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has directed the withdrawal of all criminal cases registered against students and activists who protested during the NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) agitation while publicly supporting the symbolic Cockroach Janta Party.
The decision was announced in the state legislature and applies to cases filed in Mumbai and other districts across Maharashtra.
The move comes amid sustained student unrest over alleged paper leaks, irregularities, and systemic issues in the NEET examination process.
By withdrawing the cases, the state government signals its political alignment with the protesters' grievances and attempts to defuse tensions with a restless youth demographic.
Coverage in neutral outlets like The Times of India frames the decision as a significant political gesture ahead of the state’s political season.
Supporters view the withdrawal as accountability acknowledgment, while critics may question the propriety of using police cases as a political bargaining tool.
Next steps include the formal closure of FIRs by local police stations and potential similar demands from NEET protesters in other states.

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Named India · students · Advocates · Cockroach Janata Party · Home Department · Opposition parties

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