NEET protests: Congress demands release of 500-700 detained Mumbai students, FIR withdrawal
Synopsis
Between 500 and 700 students were allegedly detained by Mumbai police during NEET-related protests — many before they could even reach the venue, and some from their own homes. With no Section 144 orders in force on 22 July, the Congress is calling it an unconstitutional crackdown, and has warned of a state-wide agitation if the administration does not act.
Key Takeaways
The MPCC submitted a memorandum to DGP Sadanand Date and the Mumbai Commissioner of Police on 23 July 2026 over alleged police action against NEET protesters.
Between 500 and 700 students aged 16 to 30 were allegedly detained from metro stations, public roads, and homes across Mumbai.
Congress demands unconditional release of all detained students and withdrawal of FIRs filed between 20 and 22 July 2026 .
No Section 144 prohibitory orders were reportedly in force in Mumbai on 22 July 2026 , raising questions about the legal basis for detentions.
Police allegedly conducted unauthorised mobile phone searches and forced students to share live location data, according to the memorandum.
The DGP and Police Commissioner reportedly assured the Congress delegation that an enquiry is underway and instructions will be issued to all District SPs.
The Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) on Thursday, 23 July 2026, submitted a formal memorandum to Director General of Police (DGP) Sadanand Date and the Mumbai Commissioner of Police, alleging widespread illegal detentions, privacy violations, and police high-handedness against student protesters across Mumbai and the rest of Maharashtra. The action follows a wave of student demonstrations against systemic failures in the national education system, including paper leak incidents linked to the NEET examination.
Key Demands Raised by Congress
The MPCC has called for the immediate and unconditional release of all detained students and the complete withdrawal of what it terms “fabricated and retaliatory” FIRs registered between 20 and 22 July 2026. The party has also demanded a thorough enquiry and the immediate suspension of police officers allegedly involved in unauthorised mobile phone searches and home detentions, along with strict instructions to stop pressuring students and their families.
The delegation was led by MPCC President Harshvardhan Sapkal, accompanied by former minister Naseem Khan, MLA Bhai Jagtap, and party office bearer Dhananjay Shinde.
Scale of Alleged Detentions
According to the memorandum, between 500 and 700 students aged 16 to 30 were allegedly picked up by police from metro stations, public roads, and even their homes — in many cases before they could reach the designated protest venue. The party claimed that 200 to 300 students remain detained across multiple police stations, including Dharavi, Mahim, Juhu, Chembur, and Dadar.
FIRs were reportedly registered at several stations including Shivaji Park, Dharavi, and Chembur. Notably, the Congress stated that no curfew or prohibitory orders under Section 144 were in force in Mumbai on 22 July 2026, raising questions about the legal basis for the detentions.
Allegations of Constitutional Violations
The memorandum alleged that police officers forcibly inspected students’ personal mobile phones without court orders or legal authority, and compelled some to share their “live location” via their devices — actions the party described as violations of fundamental constitutional rights. Several minors and young women are reportedly among those booked.
“Maharashtra is governed by the rule of law, and such police high-handedness will not be tolerated. If the administration fails to intervene immediately, the Congress party will stand firmly behind the students and launch an intense state-wide agitation,” Sapkal said.
Drug Threat Allegation and Police Response
Sapkal also flagged a video that surfaced on 23 July, which he said raises serious suspicions about whether a drug racket in the state is operating with police complicity. He demanded that the officer seen allegedly threatening students with false drug charges be immediately dismissed, arrested, and investigated.
According to Sapkal, both the DGP and the Police Commissioner assured the delegation that an enquiry into the officer’s conduct is already underway and that appropriate action will follow. They also reportedly assured that instructions would be issued to all District Superintendents of Police across the state.
What Happens Next
The Congress has warned of a state-wide agitation if the administration does not act swiftly. With student unrest over NEET paper leaks already simmering nationally, the situation in Maharashtra is being closely watched as a potential flashpoint. The outcome of the police enquiry and any action on the FIRs will determine whether tensions de-escalate in the coming days.
Point of View
The legal basis for detaining hundreds of students is genuinely unclear, and the allegations of forced phone searches deserve independent scrutiny, not just an in-house police enquiry. What is missing from the official response so far is any acknowledgement of the underlying NEET grievance: paper leak failures that have already triggered national outrage. Containing the protest without addressing that root cause is unlikely to hold.
NationPress
23 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were students detained in Mumbai during the NEET protests?
According to the MPCC memorandum, police detained between 500 and 700 students aged 16 to 30 who were protesting against systemic issues in the national education system, including NEET paper leaks. The Congress alleged that many were picked up before reaching the protest venue, and that no Section 144 orders were in force on 22 July 2026 to justify the action.
What has the Congress demanded from the Maharashtra police?
The MPCC has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all detained students, complete withdrawal of FIRs filed between 20 and 22 July 2026, suspension and enquiry of officers involved in alleged unauthorised phone searches, and an end to intimidation of students and their families.
How many students are still reportedly in detention?
According to the MPCC memorandum, between 200 and 300 students remain detained across police stations including Dharavi, Mahim, Juhu, Chembur, and Dadar as of 23 July 2026.
What constitutional violations did Congress allege against the police?
The MPCC alleged that police forcibly inspected students’ personal mobile phones without court orders and compelled some to share their live location, which the party described as violations of fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution. Several minors and young women are reportedly among those booked.
What was the police response to the Congress delegation?
According to MPCC President Harshvardhan Sapkal, both the DGP and the Mumbai Commissioner of Police assured the delegation that an enquiry into the conduct of the officer seen in a controversial video is underway, and that instructions would be issued to all District Superintendents of Police across Maharashtra.
