Cockroach Janata Party welcomes SC order on withdrawal of cases against NEET protestors
SUNIL NEGI
New Delhi: The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) on Tuesday welcomed the Supreme Court’s clarification that state governments are free to withdraw FIRs registered against students and youth who protested against alleged NEET paper leaks and had demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Speaking to mediapersons on the precincts of the Supreme Court, CJP spokesperson Saurav Dass said the Court has made it “absolutely clear” that its earlier order is not an obstacle to states withdrawing cases against protestors.
“The honourable Supreme Court has unambiguously clarified that this applies in all cases except those filed against rapists, murderers etc, the serious criminals, and not against the protestors,” Dass said. “States willing to withdraw FIRs are free to do so and the Court’s order will not prevent such action.”
He added that the Court also clarified that the term “criminal antecedents” applies only to serious offences like murder, rape, and other grave crimes, and not to peaceful protests by students.
CJP leader Saurav Pradhan, who was present during the hearing, said the verdict brings relief to hundreds of students who have been facing police cases in Delhi and other states. In some cases, protestors are still behind bars.
The development comes after weeks of protests at Jantar Mantar. AISA President Neha Bora, who was on a 23-day hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, had also gone to Begusarai, Bihar in connection with the release of jailed protestors. She had accused the ruling dispensation of not standing by its commitment on the issue.
CJP recalled that two Union Ministers, Dr. Jitendra Singh and J.P. Nadda, had earlier publicly accepted the party delegation’s demand, including the withdrawal of cases against protesting youths and students.
On the basis of that commitment, CJP had withdrawn its protest and dharna at Jantar Mantar, along with the 26-day hunger strike by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk.
The party said it will now pursue the matter with respective state governments to ensure immediate withdrawal of all pending FIRs against students and youth involved in the NEET protests.
