All cases against CJP protesters withdrawn in India, September 5 march cancelled

The Supreme Court has directed the withdrawal of cases filed against the protesters over the allegations of NEET question paper leak and irregularities in India. After this decision of the apex court, Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) has announced the cancellation of the protest march declared in Delhi on September 5.

Students staged protests in Delhi and various states of India from July 20 to 25 in protest against the NEET scam. Multiple cases were filed against the protesters at that time. CJP also observed a programme of Parliament march on July 20 in Delhi with five-point demands including the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Students from various corners of the country gathered in Delhi to take part in the programme.

Allegations were raised that Delhi Police resorted to lathi charge and used tear gas on the protesters during the Parliament march. Allegations of using pellet guns also came up. Later cases were filed against the protesters in various states including Assam, Bihar, Maharashtra and West Bengal along with Delhi.

CJP had earlier withdrawn the programme at Jantar Mantar on the condition of withdrawal of cases filed against the protesters. The central government had also informed in writing about accepting that condition. But as many cases were not withdrawn later, the organization again announced the movement. CJP leader Abhijit Deepak and others had called for a large protest march in Delhi on September 5.

In the case filed over this, Delhi Police as well as the police of Assam, Bihar, Maharashtra and West Bengal also applied for withdrawal of the cases filed against the protesters. West Bengal Police had applied for withdrawal of eight cases. After the hearing, the Supreme Court directed the withdrawal of the cases filed in various states and union territories centering on the protests from July 20 to 25. Direction has also been given not to file any new case centering on the protests of the same time.

However, cases will continue against 2,873 protesters identified by Delhi Police. Police claim that there are previous criminal cases against these persons. Meanwhile, the central government has also been asked to take initiative regarding financial assistance to the families of the students who committed suicide after the NEET scam. The centre has sought three months’ time to take decision on this process and the Supreme Court has granted that time.