The Supreme Court has annulled all First Information Reports (FIRs) lodged against students who participated in agitations led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). The apex court, invoking its powers under Article 142 of the Constitution, prioritized the future prospects of young protesters who engaged in what were deemed bona fide peaceful demonstrations. This order follows the CJP's decision to call off a march to the Delhi Police headquarters after the central government committed to withdrawing criminal cases and providing compensation to families of students who died by suicide. While protecting the majority of student protesters, the Supreme Court has granted permission to the Delhi Police to register a fresh FIR against 2,873 individuals identified as having serious and grave criminal antecedents.

The Supreme Court has annulled all First Information Reports (FIRs) lodged against students who participated in agitations led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). The apex court, invoking its powers under Article 142 of the Constitution, prioritized the future prospects of young protesters who engaged in what were deemed bona fide peaceful demonstrations. This order follows the CJP's decision to call off a march to the Delhi Police headquarters after the central government committed to withdrawing criminal cases and providing compensation to families of students who died by suicide. While protecting the majority of student protesters, the Supreme Court has granted permission to the Delhi Police to register a fresh FIR against 2,873 individuals identified as having serious and grave criminal antecedents.

The Supreme Court has annulled all First Information Reports (FIRs) lodged against students who participated in agitations led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). The apex court, invoking its powers under Article 142 of the Constitution, prioritized the future prospects of young protesters who engaged in what were deemed bona fide peaceful demonstrations. This order follows the CJP's decision to call off a march to the Delhi Police headquarters after the central government committed to withdrawing criminal cases and providing compensation to families of students who died by suicide. While protecting the majority of student protesters, the Supreme Court has granted permission to the Delhi Police to register a fresh FIR against 2,873 individuals identified as having serious and grave criminal antecedents.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday quashed all FIRs registered against students who took part in the agitations led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) in July, considering the future prospects of young protesters who had "bona fide" come to participate in peaceful demonstration.

The apex court, comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymala Bagchi and V. Mohana, issued the order, invoking its powers under Article 142 of the Constitution. The article empowers the court to pass orders necessary to ensure complete justice in any matter before it.

The order said protection will be ensured against "any harm to students or youths who participated in these protests".

This comes hours as the CJP called off its September 5 march to Delhi Police headquarters after the Centre assured the protesters that it would honour its commitments to withdraw criminal cases and compensation to families of students who died by suicide. The BJP governments in Maharashtra, West Bengal, Bihar and Assam have followed Centre's suit.

However, the top court allowed Delhi Police to register a fresh FIR against 2,873 individuals with "serious and grave criminal antecedents" after Soicitor General Tushar Mehta sought liberty to proceed against them.

Responding to the Supreme Court order, CJP chief spokesperson Saurav Das said that if the alleged criminals were indeed present at the protest site and had committed serious crimes such as rape, murder or other heinous acts, they should be prosecuted, investigated and imprisoned.

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