New Delhi: In the 13 cases registered by Delhi Police in connection with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest, no adverse legal action will be taken against those who were part of the stir, except individuals with criminal antecedents, according to an order issued Thursday by the Delhi government’s Home Department. With regard to arrests and detentions, if already made in these cases, the process for “reviewing the arrests and releasing the arrested persons will be undertaken expeditiously,” the order said.
The order, issued by Principal Secretary (Home) Santosh D. Vaidya, comes amid similar steps by several states to withdraw FIRs related to protests that began after the NEET-UG (2026) paper leak and led to the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The Supreme Court on 28 July had restrained the police from taking coercive action against protesters who participated in the ‘Sansad Chalo’ march on 20 July.
Withdrawal of cases against protesters was a key demand of the CJP during talks with the government to call off the protest. The Supreme Court had, however, allowed police to continue with their probe and act against those with criminal antecedents.
“With regard to these FIRs registered by Delhi police the government of NCT of Delhi has after careful consideration of all aspects to the circumstances pursuant to the order dated 28/7/2026 passed by the supreme court, no adverse legal action will be taken by any of the police authorities within NCT of Delhi against those persons who have been involved in these protests,” read the order, issued with approval of Delhi L-G Taranjit Singh Sandhu.
“The protection however shall not extend to persons having criminal antecedents as mandated in the order of the Honorable Supreme Court,” it said.
The order also said that the Government of the NCT of Delhi does not propose any “further adverse action against the individuals involved in the protests and the matter shall be treated as closed without any future proceedings on this account”.
(Edited by Amrtansh Arora)