Delhi Police Withdraws FIRs Against CJP Protestors
In a significant legal development, the Delhi Police has informed the Supreme Court of its decision to withdraw 13 first information reports (FIRs) lodged during the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protests. The government’s application to the Court requests the quashing of these FIRs under the special powers granted by Article 142 of the Constitution.
Proposed Legal Shift
The FIRs in question were filed in relation to several offenses including rioting, attempted murder, and property damage. However, the Central Government has decided not to pursue these cases further. Instead, they have proposed registering a new, singular FIR targeting 2,873 individuals identified as having serious criminal backgrounds.
Legal Proceedings and Background
This legal maneuver was officially presented to the Supreme Court late this afternoon by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta. The proposal primarily seeks to nullify the 13 FIRs linked to the protests that occurred from July 20 to July 25, 2026, while simultaneously requesting approval to file a fresh case against individuals with prior criminal records.
The application specifies that as per a decision taken by the Central Government on July 25, 2026, the Delhi Police no longer intends to proceed with the FIRs linked to the CJP protests. These FIRs were initially filed at several police stations, including Barakhamba Road, Kartavya Path, and Parliament Street, invoking offenses such as rioting and property damage under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, corresponding IPC provisions, and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984.
Focus on Repeat Offenders
The new FIR aims to concentrate on 2,873 individuals who have been identified through the National Crime Records Bureau database as having serious criminal antecedents and were reportedly present at the protest sites. The application underscores the need for an investigation to determine their involvement in acts of bodily harm or property destruction during the protests.
Judicial Oversight
The case is currently under the scrutiny of a bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V Mohana. The Delhi Police has assured the Court that no new FIRs will be filed concerning incidents already covered by this application. They have further justified resorting to Article 142, citing broader public interest and the unique circumstances surrounding this case.
