The court, however, made an exception for protesters with criminal antecedents, allowing the authorities to continue proceedings in such cases.

The order came after the Centre assured the court that FIRs connected with the July 20 CJP protests would be withdrawn and that no fresh cases would be registered in relation to the same protest-related events.

Following the Supreme Court's intervention, the CJP withdrew its proposed September 5 march in Delhi.

SC orders FIRs to be quashed

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant directed that cases registered against students in connection with the protests across states and Union territories would stand quashed, subject to the exception for those with criminal backgrounds.

The Delhi Police, however, has been permitted to pursue one FIR involving 2,873 individuals who were present at the Jantar Mantar protest because of their reported serious criminal antecedents.

The development followed applications submitted by the Centre and several states seeking the withdrawal of cases arising from the demonstrations.

Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta told the court that the Centre, represented by the Delhi Police, along with Bihar, Assam, West Bengal and Maharashtra, had filed applications seeking the quashing of FIRs related to the student protests.

Mehta said the applications were filed in accordance with the assurance given by the Centre to CJP leaders on July 25.

Centre assures no fresh cases

The Centre also assured the Supreme Court that no fresh FIRs would be registered in connection with events linked to the protests held between July 20 and July 25.

During the hearing, the bench observed that the dispute could be resolved if both sides approached the matter with trust and engaged with each other.

Mehta responded that the parties had approached the issue constructively and positively.

"We are not enemies," he told the court.

The Centre's assurance addressed one of the principal grievances raised by the CJP, which had accused the government of failing to honour commitments made following the July protests.

CJP withdraws Sept 5 Delhi march

The Supreme Court's order prompted the CJP to withdraw its proposed September 5 march in Delhi.

CJP spokesperson Saurav Das informed the court that the organisation had decided in view of the Centre's assurances and the judicial order.

"In view of the positive assurances of the Government of India and the judicial sanctity bestowed upon them today, and in view of the order being passed by this Court, the CJP deems it appropriate to withdraw the call for the march on September 5 and looks forward to compliance with today's order," Das said.

He also thanked the court and lawyers representing both sides for their role in the proceedings.

"I also thank the Court for this decision and the learned counsel on both sides," he added.

Compensation for families of NEET aspirants

The hearing also covered the issue of compensation for families of students who died by suicide following the cancellation of the NEET-UG 2026 examination.

Mehta told the court that the Centre remained committed to its assurance regarding compensation but requested three months to determine the modalities of the process.

The Supreme Court directed the Centre to finalise the compensation modalities within three months.