The Delhi government on Thursday announced that it will not pursue any further adverse legal action against people involved in protests over the alleged irregularities in the NEET (UG) examination, while making it clear that the relief will not extend to those with criminal antecedents.
The cases were filed against those who police found were involved in the alleged violence that broke out during Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) ‘Chalo Sansad’ march from Jantar Mantar on July 20.
Delhi Police identified 2,873 people through CCTV footage who allegedly attacked police personnel and vandalised vehicles during the CJP Chalo Sansad march. Of them, nearly a thousand were found to have criminal records.
According to a press release issued by the Delhi government's Home Department, a total of 13 cases were registered by the Delhi Police in connection with the NEET protest demonstrations held in the national capital.
“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. The protection, however, shall not extend to persons having criminal antecedents, as mandated in the order of the Supreme Court,” the statement said.
The government also directed that where arrests or detentions had already been made in these cases, the review process for releasing those arrested would be undertaken expeditiously. It further said it does not propose to take any further adverse action against individuals involved in the protests and that the matter would be treated as closed without any future proceedings on this account. The order was issued with the approval of the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi.
The Delhi government's decision comes after similar steps by several NDA-ruled states. Bihar was the first to announce that it would withdraw all FIRs, criminal complaints and show-cause notices linked to the anti-NEET protests and release those arrested. The Bihar government also said no punitive or retaliatory legal action would be taken against people who participated in the protests before July 26.
Assam subsequently issued a similar notification, announcing that all cases and legal proceedings against protesters would be withdrawn, the release of those arrested would be expedited and no further adverse action would be taken. CJP spokesperson Saurav Das later said the outfit had also received a government assurance that no authority would proceed against protesters in Rajasthan, adding that no FIRs had been registered there and none would be filed.
The Centre had also assured protesters that no legal or police action would be taken against students and volunteers who participated in demonstrations against the alleged NEET paper leak.
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