The Delhi government has announced that no further adverse legal action will be taken against individuals who participated in last week’s student protests over examination paper leaks, making Delhi the fifth state or Union Territory to extend such relief after Bihar, Maharashtra, Assam, and West Bengal.
An order issued by the Delhi Home Department stated that cases linked to the protests would be treated as closed, and those detained would be released after a review. However, the exemption will not apply to individuals with criminal antecedents or those accused of violence and vandalism.
Although the Delhi Police registered 13 First Information Reports (FIRs) in connection with the protests, none of them names any individual. More than 250 protesters were detained during the demonstrations but were later released.
The decision follows a recent Supreme Court order directing an independent inquiry into allegations of police excesses and attacks on security personnel during the nationwide protests. The apex court also granted interim protection to student protesters and ordered the immediate release of detained minors without criminal records.
The protests, organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), demanded the resignation of the then Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over repeated examination paper leaks. The agitation grew into one of the largest public demonstrations in recent years, resulting in injuries to both protesters and police personnel.
While welcoming the government’s assurance, CJP leaders have demanded that all FIRs be formally withdrawn rather than merely kept from further action.
The FIRs filed by Delhi Police include serious charges such as attempt to murder, rioting, criminal conspiracy, obstruction of public servants, and damage to public property. Police have alleged that parts of the violence were pre-planned and are continuing to examine CCTV footage, electronic evidence, and other material as part of a broader investigation.
