New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday quashed several FIRs registered against protesters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) in connection with agitations held between July 20 and 25 over academic issues, including alleged paper leaks and concerns surrounding competitive examinations.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana invoked its extraordinary powers under Article 142 of the Constitution to bring the criminal proceedings to an end. The FIRs covered cases registered in Delhi, Bihar, Maharashtra, West Bengal and Assam.
The Court also directed that FIRs related to the protests in other States and Union Territories should not be pursued or investigated. No fresh FIRs are to be registered concerning the protests held during the specified period.
The Bench said the decision was aimed at ensuring “complete justice”, taking into consideration the future prospects of young students who had participated in peaceful demonstrations to raise their demands.
The development came after the Centre and the concerned State governments sought the quashing of the cases. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the Court that the government would honour assurances given to CJP representatives that the FIRs registered in connection with the protests would not be pursued.
However, the Centre clarified that prosecution could continue against 2,873 individuals in Delhi identified as having serious criminal antecedents, based on National Crime Records Bureau data. Such action would be restricted to allegations involving bodily harm or destruction of property. The Supreme Court granted Delhi Police liberty to register a single fresh FIR for these limited offences.
The Court also directed the Centre to formulate a pan-India policy for compensation to families of students who died by suicide in connection with academic issues, including NEET 2026. The policy is to be prepared in consultation with State governments within three months, following which eligible families would receive compensation.
The Supreme Court’s intervention also paved the way for the withdrawal of a proposed CJP protest march in Delhi on September 5. CJP co-convener Saurav Das told the Bench that the organisation had decided to withdraw the protest in view of the government’s assurances and the judicial backing given to them.
CJI Surya Kant appreciated the CJP’s decision and emphasised the importance of dialogue and mutual good faith in resolving contentious issues.
“If both sides show good faith, then all issues can be resolved one by one,” the CJI observed, adding that no issue was too complicated to be discussed with an open mind.
The Court, however, clarified that its decision to invoke Article 142 was based on the peculiar facts and circumstances of the case and should not be treated as a binding precedent. It also stressed that the extraordinary relief was conditional upon both sides adhering to the understanding reached before the Court.
