'Committed To Honour Assurance On Compensation To Kin Of Students', Centre Tells SC As FIRs Quashed; CJP Calls Off Sept 5 Protest
Saurav Das said they are withdrawing the call for the march in view of the Centre's assurances in the apex court.
By Sumit Saxena
Published : September 1, 2026 at 2:56 PM IST
New Delhi: The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Tuesday called off its planned September 5 march in Delhi, informing the Supreme Court that the decision followed the Centre’s move to withdraw cases against protesters. The Apex court quashed the FIRs registered across the country in relation to the students' protests held between July 20-25.
The bench, also comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, observed that if both sides show good faith, then all issues can be resolved one by one.
Saurav Das, co-convener of the CJP, who was present before a bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, said, "I want to state that in view of the positive assurances of the Government of India, the judicial sanctity bestowed upon them today, and in view of the order passed by this court, the CJP deems it appropriate to withdraw the call for the march on September 5..." He said the CJP looks forward to compliance with today’s order and also thanked the court for this decision and the counsels on both sides.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the Supreme Court that the Centre is committed to honour the assurance given to the CJP leaders to provide compensation to the families of students who died by suicide after the NEET exam cancellation. Mehta said three months were needed to work out the modalities regarding the compensation.
Mehta said: "The government stands committed to all the three assurances given as per the discussion and there was a joint press conference." Mehta said assurance was given with regards to compensation to students who died by suicide due to cancellation of NEET examination.
"There are several examinations at the state level for recruitment, for educational purposes, etc. Whatever happens here becomes a benchmark. We need to find modalities in consultation with various states and stakeholders. Would take three months to formulate the modalities. Thereafter, this assurance will also be complied," said Mehta.
The bench directed that the FIRs registered across the country regarding the student protests held between July 20 to July 25, should not be pursued or investigated and must be treated as closed for all intents and purposes. The bench said it was passing the order considering the future of the students who bona fide came to the protests.
The bench passed the directions invoking its special powers under Article 142 of the Constitution of India.
The bench quashed the FIRs over student protests specified in the applications filed by the Delhi Police, Bihar, West Bengal, Maharashtra, and Assam.
However, the bench allowed the Delhi Police to pursue one FIR against 2,873 individuals present in the Jantar Mantar protests because they had serious criminal antecedents.
The bench noted that the families of such victims who died by suicide with respect to the NEET 2026, the modalities will be finalised and the compensation is paid in three months.
Notably, the states of Bihar, West Bengal, Maharashtra, and Assam also moved the Supreme Court, seeking to quash several FIRs registered in connection with student protests held in July over the NEET exam paper leak. The states cited the Centre’s commitment made to the CJP on July 25 that the cases would be withdrawn if the agitations were called off.
The states urged the Apex court to invoke its special powers under Article 142 to quash the FIRs. These applications were filed ahead of the CJP announcing a fresh protest in Delhi on September 5, contending that the Centre had not honoured its commitment.
The bench also said there is nothing in the world too complicated that it cannot be discussed with an open mind. Mehta said both sides acted constructively and not like adversaries.
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