New Delhi, Aug. 3 -- The Supreme Court on Monday clarified two aspects of its July 28 interim order passed in the student protest violence cases. It held that the NCT of Delhi and other State governments are at liberty to close or withdraw criminal cases in accordance with the law. It also clarified that the expression "criminal antecedents" in its earlier order refers only to persons accused of grave and heinous offences.

A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant passed the clarification while hearing a batch of petitions alleging police excesses during recent student protests and seeking accountability for the use of force against demonstrators.

"The NCT of Delhi or any other State shall be at liberty to close or withdraw any s...