The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) informed the Supreme Court on Tuesday that it was calling off a new protest march in Delhi on September 5 after the Center promised to uphold its promises to demonstrators, including the withdrawal of FIRs related to the July 20 Jantar Mantar agitation.
In front of a bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, CJP spokesperson and co-convenor Saurav Das made the remarks following assurances from the Center about the demands that had prompted the new protest call.
Das informed the court, "CJP deems it appropriate to withdraw the protest march call in view of the positive assurance and judicial sanctity and the order being passed by this court today."
The CJI responded favorably to the CJP's ruling, saying, "If both sides show good gestures, everything can be resolved."
The CJP declared on August 24 that it will march from India Gate to the New Delhi Police Headquarters on September 5. At the same time, it accused the Center of breaking promises made when its large statewide protest against the NEET paper leak was canceled on July 25.
The demonstrators had asserted that a number of promises made at the time, including those concerning written pledges and FIRs, had not been kept.
THREE ASSURANCES FROM THE GOVT
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the Supreme Court during today's session that the Center had made three promises to protest leaders during a meeting.
The first was that no formal complaints will be filed against demonstrators for the events that occurred between July 20 and July 25. The second was that those instances would not be the subject of any new FIRs. Compensation for the families of suicide victims was the third.
The Solicitor General informed the court, "The government stands by its commitments."
2,873 PEOPLE SEEK EXCEPTION FROM THE DELHI POLICE
However, the Center filed a specific application with the Supreme Court on behalf of the Delhi Police, requesting authorization to file a new First Information Report (FIR) against 2,873 individuals who are alleged to have serious criminal records, provided that the investigation proves their involvement in crimes involving property destruction or bodily harm during the protests.
According to Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, the plea was unique to Delhi and asked for permission to only file a new FIR against those 2,873 people if it was shown that they were involved in such crimes.
He made it clear that not all protesters would be exempt from the proposed action.
The center aims to develop compensation modalities over the course of three months.
The Center requested three months to determine the payment procedures for the third assurance, which was recompense to those who committed themselves.
Solicitor General Mehta told the court, "I am authorized to make a statement that the government stands by it," adding that a number of procedures would need to be developed in collaboration with the states and other interested parties.
The Center asked the court to document its guaranty and give it three months to complete the process.
The assertions would need to be confirmed, the court stated.
The three-month period requested, according to CJP's attorney, was for finishing the last payment.
