The Delhi Government on Thursday landed on the decision to not pursue any further adverse legal action against people who participated in the NEET UG 2026 paper leak protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar recently. However, officials clarified that the relief would not apply to the people who showed up at the protests, and possessed criminal antecedents. 

The decision pertains to cases registered in connection with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led ‘Chalo Sansad’ march on July 20, during which clashes ensued between the demonstrators and police near Parliament after protestors attempted to advance towards the Parliament from Jantar Mantar.

The Delhi government, via a statement issued by the Home Department on Thursday, said that all pending matters linked to the protests would be treated as closed and that no further adverse proceedings would be initiated against eligible participants. The Lieutenant Governor of Delhi approved the order, after which it was issued. 

Relief subject to criminal background verification

The government, however, clarified that the protection would not extend to people with criminal antecedents. 

According to the official statement, no adverse legal action would be taken by the cops within the National Capital Territory against the ones participating in the protests, except in cases where people were found to have prior criminal records, in accordance with directions referred to in an order of the Supreme Court. 

The government further instructed the authorities to expedite the review of cases involving people who had already been arrested or had been detained in connection with the demonstrations so that eligible people could be released without unnecessary delay. 

13 cases registered by Delhi Police

As per the Home Department, Delhi Police registered as many as 13 criminal cases relating to the protests held over the NEET UG 2026 paper leak. The cops identified a total of 2,873 people through CCTV footage who were allegedly involved in incidents of violence, including attacks on police authorities and vandalism of public property during the July 20 march. 

Police officials aware of the development said that nearly 1,000 of the ones identified had previous criminal records. 

Earlier this week, Delhi Police revealed that 989 of the identified people had criminal antecedents. Officials said these included people booked in serious offences such as dacoity, robbery, murder, sexual assault, kidnaping, as well as cases registered under the Arms Act and the Narcotics, Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. 

Centre assured CJP leaders of no action against demonstrators

The latest decision comes after the Centre allegedly assured the CJP spokespersons that students and volunteers who participated in demonstrations against the NEET paper leak would not face legal or police action.

The CJP-led agitation began after the NEET UG 2026 exam was cancelled amid allegations of a paper leak. Protestors taking part in the protests demanded sweeping reforms in the exam system and the resignation of then Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. 

The movement drew numerous eyeballs after activist Sonam Wangchuk joined the protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and launched an indefinite hunger strike. 

On July 20 this year, scores of protesters attempted to march towards Parliament during the ‘Chalo Sansad’ rally before being stopped by Delhi Police. Clashes followed as police used lathi-charge, tear gas and pellet guns to disperse the crowd, while authorities maintained that the gathering had become unlawful.

Following negotiations between CJP leaders and Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh, the Centre accepted several demands, including no action against the students involved in the protest and financial aid to the kin of the ones who died by suicide following the cancellation of NEET UG 2026 paper. The CJP subsequently ended its 37-day agitation on July 25 after receiving assurances that protesters would not face punitive action.