Delhi Police Drops 13 NEET Protest FIRs, Files Fresh Case Against 2,873
· India · Hindustan Times, PTI
Delhi Police on Monday told the Supreme Court that it "no longer wishes to pursue" 13 FIRs registered in connection with the Cockroach Janta Party-led NEET protests held in Delhi between July 20 and July 25, invoking Article 142 of the Constitution. The Centre had moved the top court earlier in the day seeking to quash the FIRs, citing a decision taken on July 25 to narrow the focus of prosecution. A single fresh FIR will be filed against 2,873 persons whom police identified as having "serious criminal antecedents," with charges covering rioting, attempt to murder and property damage. All other protesters booked under the 13 FIRs are "effectively let off," and police said no further FIRs will be registered for the July incidents. The plea is likely to be heard on Tuesday by a bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, days before the CJP's proposed September 5 march from India Gate to Delhi Police headquarters where withdrawal of FIRs against student protesters was a key demand
Why it matters
The development effectively ends prosecution for the vast majority of NEET protesters booked in July, while concentrating the case on 2,873 individuals flagged for serious criminal antecedents — a concession that comes directly ahead of the CJP's planned September 5 march to Delhi Police headquarters demanding FIR withdrawals.
Read the original report — Hindustan Times
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