New Delhi, July 30 -- In a significant relief for students and protesters who participated in demonstrations over the alleged NEET (UG) examination irregularities, the Delhi government on Thursday announced that it will not pursue any adverse legal action against those involved in the protests and will expedite the review and release of those arrested or detained. The decision follows directions issued by the Supreme Court and marks the formal closure of cases arising from the agitation, except for individuals with criminal antecedents.
However, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) defended the right to protest, demanded withdrawal of FIRs and sought Union Home Minister Amit Shah's resignation over police action on protesting students.
Delhi Home Minister Ashish Sood stated that protesters with existing criminal cases against them, as well as those who engaged in violence and vandalism, will not be exempt from the withdrawal of FIRs registered during the recent Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar.
In a press release, the Delhi government's Home department clarified that the police would not take any adverse legal action against individuals who participated in the CJP-led protest. "The protection, however, shall not extend to persons having criminal antecedents...." it said, citing a Supreme Court order on July 28.
Sood emphasised that the Government of India has already indicated that no action will be taken against student protesters who were expressing their dissent.
This statement was issued to assure innocent students that they need not be scared and no cases will be registered against them, Sood stated.
The Delhi Police registered 13 FIRs as of 6 pm on July 29 in connection with violence during the 'Chalo Sansad' march by the CJP on July 20. The police said it has also identified over 2,800 people with criminal backgrounds who participated in the protest march.
The government also announced that the process of reviewing arrests and detentions already made in connection with these cases would be undertaken on priority.
"With regard to arrests/detentions, if already made, in these cases, the process for reviewing the arrests and releasing the arrested persons will be undertaken expeditiously," the Home Department said in its order.
It further stated that the Delhi government does not propose to initiate any further adverse action against individuals involved in the protests and that the matter will be treated as closed without any future proceedings on this account.
The latest decision effectively brings legal proceedings linked to the Delhi protests to an end, while paving the way for the release of those currently in custody.
The CJP said that objectionable remarks made during protests should be addressed through defamation proceedings rather than criminal prosecution.
It also demanded Union Home Minister Shah's resignation over the police action during the NEET (UG) agitation. The developments came amid heightened security at Jantar Mantar, where additional police personnel have been deployed and metal barricades welded together after the party warned that it would resume its protest unless all FIRs against demonstrators are formally withdrawn.
CJP spokesperson Saurav Das said that "while individuals should be careful about the language used during protests, offensive remarks alone should not invite criminal prosecution." He argued that those who feel defamed have legal remedies against the individual concerned, but using police action against protesters would discourage democratic expression.
He appealed to young demonstrators to maintain decorum during public protests, saying that respectful language strengthens any movement. At the same time, he criticised the use of criminal proceedings against protesters, describing it as an excessive response that could suppress legitimate dissent. He also urged the police to "exercise restraint and avoid using legal powers in a manner that could be perceived as politically motivated."
Reacting to the Delhi government's order stating that cases against protesters would not be pursued further and may be treated as closed, Das said the wording fell short of the assurance given after the July 25 understanding at Jantar Mantar. According to him, "the government should formally withdraw the FIRs instead of leaving them pending in a dormant state."
He further alleged that the government was incorrectly citing the Supreme Court's observations to justify retaining the FIRs. Das maintained that nothing in the court's order prevented the government from withdrawing the cases and urged it to fulfil the commitments made to protesters after the agitation ended.
Meanwhile, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke accused Home Minister Amit Shah of bearing responsibility for the police action during the July 20 'Chalo Sansad' march, claiming pellet guns were used against protesters despite the Centre's assertion in Parliament that no shots were fired. He alleged that several students sustained serious injuries and questioned the government's handling of the demonstrations.
Dipke also claimed he had received indirect pressure to join the BJP and referred to threats allegedly received by his family during the agitation. He criticised remarks made by yoga entrepreneur Ramdev and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut against the student movement, asserting that the campaign was aimed at protecting students' rights and democratic values.
With the CJP warning that it could restart its agitation if FIRs are not withdrawn, security has been tightened at Jantar Mantar. Additional Delhi Police personnel have been deployed and metal barricades at the protest site have been reinforced. The party has also launched the SAAKSHI online evidence platform and announced a nationwide legal aid network, supported by a Rs.1 crore corpus pledged by Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal, to assist protesters facing legal action.
Meanwhile, Noida Police have registered a zero FIR against a 25-year-old woman for allegedly using objectionable language against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the CJP protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.
The action was taken following a complaint by Supreme Court advocate Smriti Singh.
According to police, the accused has been identified as Ruchika Singh, a resident of Lotus Zing society in Sector 150, Noida.
Smriti Singh said that she received several videos purportedly showing the accused using abusive language against the Prime Minister.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.