Delhi Police tells SC it ‘no longer wishes to pursue’ 13 FIRs from NEET protests in July
Earlier in the day, the Centre had filed an application before the top court to quash the FIRs against the NEET protesters.
Delhi Police informed the Supreme Court on Monday evening that it will no longer pursue 13 FIRs linked to the Cockroach Janta Party-led NEET protests in July. The decision came after the Union government opted to narrow its focus away from prosecuting the broader protest FIRs, which included charges of rioting, attempt to murder, and property damage.
The police cited Article 142 to withdraw from pursuing these FIRs, stating they would not register any further charges in connection with the protests between July 20 and July 25. This move is likely to be heard by a Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant on Tuesday. The protests, which saw a proposed march by the CJP from India Gate to Delhi Police headquarters on September 5, had demanded the withdrawal of FIRs against student protesters as one of their primary demands.
The Supreme Court had earlier declined to intervene in the march's proposed route, leaving law and order arrangements to the Centre and Delhi government. The police also announced that a single fresh FIR would be filed against 2,873 individuals with "serious criminal antecedents" in line with the court's clarification on the term.
The investigation will only focus on the role of these individuals in violence and property damage, effectively letting off the remaining protesters booked under the 13 FIRs. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta moved the application before the Chief Justice, requesting an early hearing, as the Centre aimed to resolve the issue concerning the FIRs.
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