The Supreme Court on Tuesday quashed all First Information Reports (FIRs) registered against students who participated in the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led protests across the country between July 20 and July 25. The development followed a submission by Delhi Police and the governments of four NDA-ruled states, who requested the court to quash the cases against the protesters.
The bench, headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, also directed the Centre to provide compensation within three months to the families of students who ended their lives over the NEET paper leak. The court invoked its powers under Article 142 of the Constitution to do "complete justice," with the bench stating, "Keeping in view future of young protestors who bonafidely came to protest, we find it a fit case to invoke Article 142. These applications are allowed."
The bench, which also comprised Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, said that any other FIRs related to the same incidents of protests between July 20 and July 25 in any state or Union Territory would also be closed. "If there is any other FIR registered with regard to same incidents of protests between 20-25 July in any state/UT which is not formally brought to our notice, they shall not be pursued or investigated and shall be taken as closed for all intents and purposes," the bench said.
However, the court acceded to the Centre's request and permitted Delhi Police to register fresh FIRs against 2,873 individuals with criminal antecedents who were present at the Jantar Mantar protest. The court also asked the Centre to formulate a pan-India policy for the payment of compensation to families of students who died by suicide over the exam's cancellation.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre and Delhi Police, informed the bench that the government remains committed to fulfilling all three assurances given to the CJP leadership during a meeting between the Centre and the party. These assurances included not pursuing FIRs registered between July 20 and July 25, not registering fresh FIRs in connection with the matter, and providing compensation to families of students who died by suicide allegedly in connection with the NEET paper leak.
Following the Supreme Court's order, the CJP called off its proposed march scheduled for September 5, Teachers' Day. CJP co-convenor Saurav Das read out a statement before the bench, stating that in view of the positive assurances of the Government of India and the judicial sanctity bestowed upon them, the group deemed it appropriate to withdraw the call for the march.
Union Minister JP Nadda welcomed the CJP's decision, saying the government had made the assurances "keeping the students' future in mind." He said, "In line with this, we also consulted with the governments in states ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party, and we are now fulfilling that assurance. We welcome the decision announced by the CJP spokesperson at a press conference to call off the protest scheduled for September 5. The progress and development of the youth remain the government's top priority."
CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke said "true justice has been served."
The protests, led by the CJP, had been ongoing since July 20, with demands including the resignation of then Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The agitation had seen clashes on July 20, involving police using lathis and teargas, and a high-powered enquiry committee was constituted under former apex court judge Justice R Subhash Reddy to probe issues related to the protests.