New Delhi, Sept. 1 -- The Supreme Court on Tuesday brought an end to criminal proceedings arising from the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP)-led protests over alleged examination paper leaks by quashing FIRs registered in five States and directing that similar cases elsewhere should not be pursued.

A bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana exercised its extraordinary powers under Article 142 of the Constitution to bring closure to the cases, citing the future prospects of the young protesters.

"Keeping in view the future prospectus of the young protesters, we invoke our powers under Article 142 of the Constitution to do complete justice," the bench observed.

The apex court quashed FIRs registered...