States Can Withdraw FIRs Against Students Who Took Part in CJP Protests: Supreme Court

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has clarified that state governments have the authority to withdraw FIRs registered against students who participated in protests organised by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP).

The court said states could close cases registered against protesters at Jantar Mantar and other parts of the country.

The observation came while the court was hearing a batch of petitions challenging police action against the CJP’s Parliament march on July 20. On July 28, the court had observed that states could continue their investigations into the FIRs. However, concerns were raised that the order could prevent state governments from withdrawing the cases.

Following this, CJP activists approached a bench headed by the Chief Justice seeking clarification.

The court clarified that its July 28 order permitting the prosecution of protesters with a “criminal background” applied only to those accused of serious and heinous offences. The term “criminal background” should be understood in that context, the Supreme Court said.

The bench, comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohanan, also observed that the future of children who participated in the protests must be protected.