NEET protest case: Bihar man claims he was booked despite being in Russia for four months

Protesters and police during the Bihar Bandh call for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over NEET exam paper leaks on July 25, 2026 in Patna. Photo credit: Reuters

A resident of Bihar’s Kishanganj district claimed that the police detained him in connection with last week’s NEET paper leak protest despite being “abroad for the last four months”.

Mohammad Sadaqat claimed in a video allegedly shot in Russia, where he said he has been staying for the past four months.

Although the video went viral on social media, PTI could not independently verify its authenticity.

Kishanganj SP Hari Mohan Shukla, when contacted by PTI, neither confirmed nor denied the claims, but said those with grievances can approach the police for redressal.

In the purported video, Mr. Sadaqat challenged the registration of a case against him and claimed that he was not present at the protest in Bahadurganj on July 25 as he had been living in Russia for the past four months. He demanded a fair investigation into the matter and urged the authorities to remove his name from the FIR.

“Anyone who has any grievances related to the protests can approach the police for redressal,” the SP said when specifically asked about Mr. Sadaqat’s alleged video.

The state government on Monday (July 27, 2026) announced that it will withdraw all cases registered in connection with the NEET paper leak protests and release those arrested in connection with the incidents.

A Home Ministry notification said the government was withdrawing “all FIRs, complaints and show-cause notices issued in connection with incidents that occurred before 6 am on July 26”.

The persons arrested in this connection will therefore also be released immediately, the ministry said.

A total of 694 people, nearly half of them minors, were detained for allegedly trying to force a nationwide bandh called last week to protest the paper leak.

Published – 29 Jul 2026 17:34 IST