Delhi Police not to take adverse action against CJP protesters: Government order
In its order, the home department says that with regard to arrests or detentions, if already made, in these cases, the process for reviewing the arrests and releasing the arrested persons will be undertaken expeditiously
The Delhi Government has decided to drop any further adverse legal action against people who participated in protests against alleged irregularities in the NEET (UG) examination, bringing relief to protesters facing cases registered by the Delhi Police.
The decision, however, excludes those with criminal antecedents.
As many as 13 cases had been registered by the Delhi Police in connection with protests over the alleged irregularities in the NEET (UG) examination as of 6 pm on July 29, according to the Delhi government's Home Department.
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The decision follows the government's consideration of the matter in light of the Supreme Court's July 28 order in Shailendra Mani Tripathi v Union of India & Ors.
Home Minister Ashish Sood said, “No action will be taken against the students who participated in peaceful protests to express their views.”
“The government fully respects the democratic right to peaceful expression, but no leniency will be shown towards those who disrupt law and order or engage in violent activities,” Sood added.
The Home Department said, "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."
It clarified that the protection would not extend to persons having criminal antecedents, as mandated by the Supreme Court's order.
The government has also ordered an expedited review of arrests and detentions already made in connection with the cases. "With regard to arrests/detentions, if already made, in these cases, the process for reviewing the arrests and releasing the arrested persons will be undertaken expeditiously."
It said the Delhi government did not propose to take any further adverse action against individuals involved in the protests, adding that "the matter shall be treated as closed without any future proceedings on this account".
