# Bihar NEET protest fallout and legal proceedings > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/bihar-student-protests-over-neet-exam-controversy > Updated: 2026-08-18T02:22:18.000Z. Sources: 61. Developments: 3. The July 25, 2026, leak of the NEET-UG exam paper sparked a statewide bandh in Bihar. During protests in Siwan, constable Abhishek Patel, a member of a district intelligence unit, fired an AK-47 assault rifle into the air, injuring three students—including 15-year-old Md Arif—while no protester was killed. Video of the firing went viral, prompting the immediate suspension of Patel by the Bihar Police Headquarters and the launch of a departmental inquiry. Senior police official Nilesh Kumar confirmed the weapon had been issued to Patel for high-risk cases and its use was unjustified. The incident contributed to the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and spurred political backlash, with Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav demanding accountability. In the aftermath, more than 21 FIRs were filed, over 450 arrests made and 91 police personnel injured. On July 27, the Bihar Home Department, following a directive from the Chief Minister and a meeting between student leader Neha Bora and DGP Vinay Kumar, withdrew all FIRs, criminal complaints and show-cause notices filed before 6 p.m. on 26 July and ordered the release of all detainees. Of the 694 people held, 339 minors have been freed and the remaining 355 adults will be released pending court hearings. The Supreme Court of India issued interim orders directing all states to release detained protesters under 18 with no criminal record, to preserve CCTV, drone and body-camera footage, and to refrain from coercive actions while an independent probe into alleged police excesses continues. By August 18, the Bihar government submitted a counter affidavit to the Supreme Court regarding police conduct. The state denied using disproportionate force, clarifying that the AK-47 was a platoon-level weapon intended for special operations and that the shots fired at JP Chowk did not cause injury. ## Claims - Police constable fired an AK‑47 at student protesters in Siwan on July 25, 2026. (corroborated by 18 sources) - The incident occurred during a Bihar Bandh over a NEET‑UG paper leak. (corroborated by 14 sources) - No punitive or retaliatory legal action will be taken against any individual who participated in the protests before the cutoff time. (corroborated by 13 sources) - Approximately 355 people were jailed and 694 were in custody due to the protests. (corroborated by 13 sources) - 91 police personnel were injured during the clashes. (corroborated by 13 sources) - All detained students will be released immediately. (corroborated by 12 sources) - AISA All India President Neha Bora met Bihar DGP Vinay Kumar to request case withdrawal. (corroborated by 11 sources) - Bihar will withdraw all FIRs, criminal complaints and show‑cause notices filed before 6 p.m. on 26 July 2026 related to the NEET‑UG protests. (corroborated by 11 sources) - All persons arrested or detained in connection with those cases will be released immediately. (corroborated by 11 sources) - The constable, identified as Abhishek Patel, was suspended by Bihar Police Headquarters. (corroborated by 10 sources) - No further legal or punitive action will be taken against those students. (corroborated by 10 sources) - Approximately 694 people were detained during the protests, including 339 minors released and 355 remaining in custody. (corroborated by 10 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-18: Bihar government addresses AK-47 firing during NEET protests in Supreme Court The Bihar government told the Supreme Court that AK-47 rounds were fired into the air during NEET protests in Siwan to manage crowds, denying disproportionate force despite minor injuries to three protesters. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bihar-government-addresses-ak-47-firing-during-neet-protests-in-supreme-court ### 2026-07-27: Bihar Withdraws FIRs and Releases NEET Protesters Bihar will withdraw all FIRs and criminal cases linked to NEET‑UG protests, release the 694 detained protesters (including 339 minors), and ensure no future punitive action; the Supreme Court ordered release of 27 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bihar-government-withdraws-cases-against-student-protesters-over-neet-controversy ### 2026-07-27: Police Constable Suspended after AK‑47 Firing at Siwan Student Protest A Bihar police constable was suspended after firing an AK‑47 at student protesters in Siwan during the NEET paper‑leak bandh; three students were injured, a departmental inquiry opened, and opposition leaders,‑ 36 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/siwan-police-officer-suspended-after-ak47-firing-during-bihar-bandh-protests --- Cite as: Bihar NEET protest fallout and legal proceedings. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/bihar-student-protests-over-neet-exam-controversy