Kanhaiya Kumar Accuses Bihar Police of Violating Legal Procedures During NEET Protests

In a recent press conference, Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar accused the Bihar police of breaching legal protocols during protests against the NEET paper leak. He highlighted a troubling shift in police tactics, emphasizing the use of excessive force, including baton charges and tear gas. Kumar's investigation revealed serious allegations of brutality, including unlawful detentions of minors and students, and the use of firearms against protesters. He called for transparency regarding arrests and the orders given to police during these events, asserting that Bihar must uphold its democratic values and not succumb to a police state.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 4, 2026, 19:17 IST

Allegations Against Bihar Police

Patna, August 4 - Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar has claimed that the Bihar police violated legal protocols while managing protests against the recent NEET paper leak. During a press conference, Kumar shared findings from a fact-finding investigation conducted by Congress across six districts in Bihar over the weekend.

Kumar asserted that there has been a 'dangerous shift' in police tactics for handling democratic protests, emphasizing an increased reliance on baton charges and tear gas. He stated, 'The state government is attempting to transform 'democracy' into 'baton rule' and 'gun rule.' There is now an atmosphere of intolerance towards dissent in the state.'

He alleged that the Congress's investigative teams discovered blatant disregard for police regulations during the handling of protests. Kumar noted, 'We gathered videos, photographs, testimonies from victims, and statements from police personnel during our investigation.'

While acknowledging incidents of violence during the protests, he criticized the police response as disproportionate and brutal. He referenced findings indicating that some protesters were shot above the waist with intent to kill, and an AK-47 was reportedly used in Siwan. Additionally, minors and students without criminal records were detained, and women were held in police stations after sunset, violating legal provisions.

Kumar recounted specific incidents, including a young man preparing for the Agniveer recruitment who was shot in the leg, and another youth from Arwal who was shot near the neck. He highlighted that minors were unlawfully detained, arrest memos were improperly prepared, and families were often left uninformed about the whereabouts of their detained relatives.

He further alleged that students were taken to different police stations, subjected to mental harassment, and in some cases, referred to as 'terrorists' by police officers. Kumar accused certain police officials of committing 'brutality' against students to appease their 'political masters.'

He dismissed claims that all cases against protesting students had been withdrawn, asserting that while some cases in Patna may be dropped, criminal charges still exist against students in districts like Bhagalpur, preventing many from returning home. He demanded clarity from the police regarding the number of arrests made, the charges filed, and how many individuals have been released.

Kumar insisted that the order to fire should be disclosed, emphasizing that Bihar is the birthplace of democracy and must not be allowed to devolve into a police state.