A protest held at Jantar Mantar against the NEET question paper leak has now escalated into a legal controversy with a complaint filed under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, alleging the involvement of minors.
The complaint has been lodged against Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke and party spokesperson Sourav Das. It was filed by Rinki Singh, a lawyer based in Siliguri, at the Pradhannagar police station.
According to the complaint, during a hunger strike and protest held on July 20, several minors—reportedly around 12 years old—were present alongside adults. The complainant has alleged that these children were encouraged to participate in a political demonstration despite lacking the maturity to understand its purpose, thereby putting their safety and mental well-being at risk.
The complaint further claims that the protest environment turned tense with instances of damage to public property reported. It also alleges that objectionable language targeting the Prime Minister was used from the protest stage. Raising concerns over safety, the lawyer questioned the justification for bringing minors to a site where there was a potential risk of clashes, police action or a breakdown of law and order.
Calling the matter both an ethical and legal issue, the complainant has sought action under Sections 13, 14, and 15 of the POCSO Act, along with Section 153 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. She has urged the authorities to initiate a swift investigation and proceed with the arrest of the accused if charges are substantiated.
In addition, the complaint has called for a detailed probe into the financial sources of the CJP leadership. It seeks scrutiny of funding channels, including any financial support allegedly received from foreign universities or scholarships, as well as expenditure patterns and other funding avenues.
The allegations have triggered a fresh political debate, though no official response has yet been issued by either Sourav Das or Abhijeet Dipke. Authorities have also not disclosed the next course of action.
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