SC quashes FIRs against NEET protesters; CJP calls decision major victory

The CJP welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision to quash FIRs against NEET protesters and urged swift implementation of a pan-India compensation policy for families of students who died by suicide. The party also called off its September 5 march following the court’s directions

New Delhi: The CJP on Tuesday termed the Supreme Court’s decision to quash FIRs registered against NEET protesters a “major victory” and said the government’s commitment to frame a pan-India compensation policy within three months must now translate into relief for affected families. The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) said in a statement that the court’s order provided relief to protesters who faced criminal cases for participating in the demonstrations over the NEET-UG paper leak crisis, including unidentified persons, and would also cover any similar FIRs subsequently found to have been left out of the lists submitted by the Centre and states.

“Today’s decision is a victory for every student who was told that raising their voice was a crime. We protested because the government refused to listen. Instead of answering students, the state responded with FIRs and police action,” CJP founder and national convenor Abhijeet Dipke said. The Supreme Court has now given relief to those who were “dragged into criminal cases for exercising their democratic right to protest”, he said, adding that the ruling should send a message that dissent cannot be suppressed through intimidation.

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“Students should be in classrooms, not police stations. They should not have to take to the streets to demand basic accountability from their government. This decision should be a lesson to those in power that dissent cannot be silenced through intimidation,” he said. The CJP also welcomed the Supreme Court taking note of the government’s commitment to formulate a pan-India compensation policy within three months for families of students who died by suicide in connection with the NEET-UG paper leak crisis.

CJP co-convenor Saurav Das said the commitment was significant for families that had been seeking recognition, accountability and financial support. “There is no compensation for the loss of a child. Nothing can undo what these families have gone through. But the government cannot look away from its responsibility,” Das said. “The commitment made before the Supreme Court must now translate into a fair and transparent policy that reaches every eligible family,” he said.

Das said the families had already waited long enough and should not have to continue fighting for recognition and relief. The CJP said it would monitor the implementation of the Supreme Court’s directions and the government’s three-month commitment on compensation.
It also said the September 5 march announced by the organisation had been called off following the developments before the Supreme Court.

The apex court quashed all FIRs registered against students who participated in the CJP-led protests across the country between July 20 and 25 and said the cases should not affect their future. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant also directed the Centre to provide within three months compensation to families of students who ended their lives over the NEET paper leak.
Acceding to the Centre’s request, the court, however, permitted Delhi Police to register fresh FIRs against 2,873 individuals with serious criminal antecedents who were present at the Jantar Mantar protest.