Guwahati: The Central government on Monday approached the Supreme Court seeking to quash criminal cases registered against individuals for their participation in the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP)-led student protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.
The matter was mentioned before a Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who sought an urgent listing of an interlocutory application (IA).
“It’s regarding that protest, for the purpose of FIRs to be quashed etc. Article 142 (of the Constitution), we are invoking,” Mehta told the Bench while requesting that the matter be listed at the earliest.
When the Solicitor General indicated that the parties were attempting to reach a settlement, CJI Surya Kant observed, “If parties are reconciling, we have no problem.”
Mehta then sought a hearing on Tuesday, to which the Chief Justice agreed.
The application is expected to seek relief regarding criminal cases registered against students and other protesters during the CJP-led demonstrations. The Centre is likely to invoke the Supreme Court’s extraordinary powers under Article 142 of the Constitution in seeking to resolve the matter.
The CJP-led protests began in June, with students demonstrating over recurring paper leaks in national-level examinations. The agitation subsequently gained wider attention after climate rights activist Sonam Wangchuk joined the movement and undertook a hunger strike in solidarity with the protesters.
Tensions escalated on July 20 when protesters attempted a “Sansad Chalo” march towards Parliament. Delhi Police and the Rapid Action Force (RAF) reportedly used lathi charges, tear gas and pellet guns to disperse the demonstrators.
The protests were called off several days later after then Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned. His resignation had been among the key demands raised by the protesters.
During subsequent discussions between CJP representatives and the Central government, the withdrawal of criminal cases registered against students and protesters also emerged as a key demand.
The Centre’s latest move before the Supreme Court is expected to address that issue when the application comes up for hearing.
The Supreme Court has also constituted a committee to examine allegations of excessive use of force by police against protesters, as well as claims of violence by demonstrators against police personnel.