Delhi Police seeks to drop 13 protest FIRs while targeting 2,873 individuals

The Delhi Police has informed the Supreme Court of India that it no longer intends to pursue 13 First Information Reports (FIRs) registered during the NEET-related student protests held in Delhi in July. However, the police have proposed filing a new FIR against 2,873 individuals identified as having serious criminal antecedents according to the National Crime Records Bureau database. This new investigation aims to determine if these specific individuals were involved in acts of bodily harm or property destruction during the demonstrations.

In a related development, the Supreme Court declined a plea to prohibit a protest march scheduled for September 5 by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP). The bench, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, expressed an expectation that all parties would maintain law and order and conduct themselves peacefully. The court directed the petitioner to approach the High Powered Enquiry Committee currently examining allegations of police violence during the July protests.

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear the Delhi Police's application to quash the existing 13 FIRs and proceed with the fresh investigation into the 2,873 individuals on September 1.