New Delhi, 01 September (H.S.): The Supreme Court has ordered the quashing of FIRs registered against students who participated in protests at Jantar Mantar following the NEET paper leak, as well as FIRs registered in five states during the course of the protests. The order was passed by a bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant. The Court has also barred the registration of any further FIRs in connection with the matter.

The Supreme Court ordered the quashing of FIRs registered in Delhi, Bihar, West Bengal, Maharashtra and Assam in connection with the protests at Jantar Mantar. Although the five states had sought the quashing of the FIRs, the Supreme Court directed that all FIRs registered across the country in connection with the students' protests be quashed. However, the Court directed the Delhi Police to proceed with the FIRs registered against 2,873 individuals who had previously been booked in serious criminal cases.

During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said that the government had decided to withdraw the FIRs in accordance with the assurances given at a meeting held on July 25 between leaders of the Kakroach Janata Party and representatives of the Central government. Following Mehta's statement, a spokesperson for the Kakroach Janata Party told the Court that, in view of the government's decision, they were withdrawing the proposed protest scheduled for September 5. Chief Justice Surya Kant then observed that when both sides reach an agreement, nothing is impossible. During the hearing on August 18, the Supreme Court had indicated that it would consider quashing the FIRs registered against the students.

The Central government had filed an application stating that it wanted to withdraw 13 FIRs registered against protesters during the Kakroach Janata Party's demonstration at Jantar Mantar.

The Kakroach Janata Party had launched its agitation at Jantar Mantar in June following the revelations surrounding the NEET paper leak. The protest gained momentum after environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk began a hunger strike. As part of the agitation, a march to Parliament was organised on July 20, during which allegations were made that the Rapid Action Force resorted to a lathi charge and used pellet guns. The agitation was later withdrawn following the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. During the protests, the Delhi Police had also registered several FIRs.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar