Govt Reaffirms No Legal Action Against Students Over Paper Leak Protests

New Delhi, August 03, 2026 The government has reaffirmed before the Supreme Court that it remains committed to not taking legal action against students who participated in protests against paper leaks. The assurance follows the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) calling off its protest last month after receiving assurances that thousands of volunteers who had gathered in the national capital to seek accountability and examination reforms would not face adverse action. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court that there had been some confusion or lack of clarity over how the FIRs registered against the protesters should be handled. “I have instructions to say that the government is serious on that commitment to students," said Mehta. Advocate Vrinda Grover sought clarification on whether the FIRs lodged against the protesters would be withdrawn or quashed. She also emphasised that the larger issue was the need to improve the education system. “These are young people who have their lives ahead of them. Even for quashing, we have FIRs in Bihar, Bengal, Assam, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi. After this has been worked out with the states, we will come back to this court,” she said. The government maintained that its commitment to the students stands, with Mehta stating, “Whichever legally permissible way it may be done, Mehta added, the government stands to its commitment.” The matter will now depend on coordination with the concerned states over the FIRs, while the government’s assurance remains at the centre of the proceedings.