The Supreme Court recently invoked Article 142 to dismiss all FIRs against NEET-UG protesters, leading the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) to cancel its planned march on September 5.
In a dramatic turn just days before the Cockroach Janata Party’s planned showdown in the national capital, the Supreme Court on Tuesday invoked its extraordinary powers under Article 142 to quash every FIR filed against NEET-UG protesters across five states, prompting the CJP to call off its September 5 march.
Here’s how the court proceedings unfolded and ended in an “absolute justice” for the outfit, which has essentially become the face of the students.
The day of CJP proceedings in Supreme Court in 10 points:
- In a big win for CJP protesters, the Supreme Court on Tuesday invoked Article 142 to quash all FIRs registered against those linked to the NEET-UG paper leak protests.
- The Bench — Chief Justice Surya Kant along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana — said it was invoking Article 142 “in light of the commitments made by both sides” to do “complete justice.”
- FIRs against protesters across five states — Delhi, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam and Maharashtra — have all been quashed.
- In an unusual move, it was the police in these BJP-ruled states themselves who urged the SC to invoke Article 142 and quash the FIRs.
- The Court also barred registration of any fresh FIRs connected to the protests going forward.
- Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the Court the Centre is committed to compensating families of students who died by suicide after the NEET exam was cancelled, and sought three months to work out the modalities.
- CJI Surya Kant said Article 142 was invoked on the condition that both sides — the government and CJP — abide by the commitments made in court.
- Reading a statement in court, CJP co-convenor Saurav Das said the government’s “positive assurances” and the “judicial sanctity” of the order had led CJP to withdraw its September 5 march call.
- Das called it a “historic judgment” and thanked the court and counsel on both sides — senior advocate Vrinda Grover and the Solicitor General — for their efforts.
- Advocate Vrinda Grover said the order affirms the right to protest as a fundamental right, and that compensation for the victims’ families will be formalised and paid within three months.