India Supreme Court drops most exam leak protest cases

India's Supreme Court on Tuesday called off criminal investigations against most protesters who joined demonstrations over a leaked medical exam paper that forced the education minister to resign.

The court used its special constitutional powers to provide relief to protesters who took part in July demonstrations led by the online Cockroach Janta Party movement. Police had filed cases against hundreds of students, accusing them of rioting, violence and damaging public property.

The protests turned violent on July 20 when police clashed with tens of thousands of demonstrators in New Delhi as they tried to march toward parliament. Clashes also took place in Bihar and West Bengal.

Chief Justice Surya Kant said that if both sides showed good faith, the issues could be resolved one by one. The court also ordered the government to provide compensation within three months to the families of students who reportedly died by suicide after the exam paper leak.

After the order, the Cockroach Janta Party said it was cancelling a planned protest in Delhi on Saturday. The Press Trust of India reported that investigations would continue against 2,873 protesters who have prior criminal records.

The demonstrations began over the exam paper leak and grew into a wider movement over unemployment, opportunities for young people and criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rule.