The Delhi Police have not yet received any official instruction from the Centre to withdraw cases filed against people who took part in the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) protests on July 20, sources said.
Officials said the police will wait for the government's direction before starting the legal process to withdraw the cases.
Around 20 Cases Registered After July 20 Protest
According to police sources, authorities registered around 20 cases following the violence at Jantar Mantar and nearby areas. Out of these, 14 cases relate to the protest and the violence that followed. Another case concerns the alleged unauthorised use of a drone during the demonstrations. Police said the remaining cases involve other incidents linked to the protest.
Police to Seek LG's Approval
Sources said the Delhi Police will act only after receiving formal instructions from the government. The prosecution will then submit a proposal to the Lieutenant Governor (LG) seeking permission to withdraw the cases.
The proposal will state that the government does not want to continue legal proceedings against the accused. After receiving the LG's approval, the police will inform the concerned courts that they no longer wish to pursue the prosecution. However, the courts will make the final decision on whether to allow the withdrawal of the cases.
Cases Filed by Journalists Will Continue
Officials clarified that not all cases will be withdrawn. They said the police will continue to pursue cases filed by journalists who alleged that they were assaulted during the protest. These complaints will remain outside any withdrawal process.
CJP Warns of Fresh Protest
Meanwhile, the Cockroach Janata Party has warned the government of another round of protests if the cases against demonstrators are not dropped immediately.
The party said withdrawing the FIRs was part of the agreement reached with the Centre after the July 20 agitation.
CJP Alleges Students Face Harassment
CJP national spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka accused the authorities of violating the understanding reached with the government. In a post on X, he claimed that police had arrested hundreds of students in Bihar and West Bengal. He also alleged that authorities were monitoring and harassing several students in Delhi and other states.
“We demand that all the FIRs against the protestors be immediately withdrawn, students be released and no future FIRs be filed… failing which we will be forced to sit on protest again,"
Ranka also asked the government to release a written agreement on the legal cases and announce a timeline for implementing it.
Protest Ended After Agreement With Centre
Police used lathis to disperse protesters during the July 20 demonstration in Delhi. Videos circulating on social media also appeared to show some protesters attacking police personnel during the clashes. The CJP later ended its protest after reaching an agreement with the government on several demands.
One of the major developments following the talks was the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan as Union Education Minister. The party has repeatedly said that withdrawing FIRs and other legal cases against protesters formed a key part of the agreement with the Centre.