CJP bags another victory as Centre moves SC to quash FIRs lodged during Jantar Mantar protests; Article 142 invoked
Another victory fell into the kitty of the pressure group, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Monday, as the Union Government approached the Supreme Court (SC), seeking the quashing of FIRs registered in connection with the students protests held at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar in July this year. It invoked the court’s extraordinary powers under Article 142 of the Indian Constitution.
Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta sought an urgent listing of the application before an SC bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant. The CJI gave the nod to list the matter on September 1, Tuesday.
Notably, the Article 142 empowers the top court to pass any decree or order necessary to ensure ‘complete justice’ in any matter pending before it.
CJP proposes fresh march on Sept 5
The development comes ahead of another march proposed by the outfit on September 5 in Delhi, which shall be backed by the All India Students’ Association (AISA). The mobilisation shall focus on pending cases against students and allegations of pellet as well as bullet firing against the student protestors by police during the Jantar Mantar agitation.
The march, coinciding with Teachers’ Day, is expected to be spearheaded by the families of those students who died by suicide following the cancellation of the NEET UG 2026 exam and the subsequent re-test ordered by the NTA. Meanwhile, the kin of the ones affected by police action during the July stir are also likely to show up.
The FIRs had been registered over allegations of violence during protests related to irregularities in the conduct of the NEET UG exam in Delhi and other states.
Union Govt seeks extraordinary relief
During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the CJI-led bench that the Centre wanted the top court to exercise its powers under Article 142 to quash the FIRs registered against protestors.
The SC is slated to consider the Centre’s application on Tuesday. Following the Union Government’s move, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and party spokesperson Saurav Das posted their responses on ‘X.’
Dipke’s Ambedkar gesture
Dipke reacted to the Centre’s move by posting a picture of himself holding a book featuring Dr BR Ambedkar. He did not accompany the post with any written message, instead holding the book towards the camera so that Ambedkar’s photograph was clearly seen.
Notably, Ambedkar’s imagery has remained a prominent element of the CJP-led protest movement. When Dipke returned to India in June this year, he was spotted leaving Delhi Airport while holding a book by India’s first Law Minister.
Saurav Das posts cheeky selfie
CJP spokesperson Saurav Das also chipped in, posting a selfie on ‘X.’ He was seen wearing black sunglasses, with the picture appearing to carry a cheeky and teasing tone as the legal battle over the FIRs advanced to the Supreme Court.