India’s Supreme Court gives student protesters a clean slate, CJP calls off Delhi march

India's Supreme Court has dismissed criminal cases linked to nationwide student protests in July, stating that the future prospects of young demonstrators should not be harmed, prompting protest leaders to call off a planned march in New Delhi. Chief Justice Surya Kant ordered the closure of First Information Reports (FIRs) linked to protests held between July 20 and 25 across India, and barred the registration of new cases.

The ruling, invoking Article 142 of the Constitution, covered cases in all states and Union Territories, except for 2,873 individuals at the Jantar Mantar protests, who could still face a single FIR for serious criminal charges. The court's decision came after assurances from the Centre that cases against protesters would be withdrawn and no new FIRs filed.

The protest leaders have withdrawn their call for a September 5 march in Delhi, citing the government's assurances and the Supreme Court's intervention. The court also directed the government to formulate a pan-India compensation policy for students affected by academic issues, including suicides, within three months.