New Delhi: Delhi govt has asked police not to take action against people who participated in the Cockroach Janta Party-led protests in the city over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak. The participants with criminal antecedents will, however, not be spared, it added.The home department of Delhi govt stated Thursday that in cases where arrests or detentions were already made, the process of reviewing the arrests and releasing them would be undertaken expeditiously.“Government of NCT of Delhi does not propose to take any further adverse action against the individuals involved in the protests, and the matter shall be treated as closed without any future proceedings on this account,” the order said. As of 6pm, July 29, Delhi Police had registered 13 cases in connection with the violence during the Sansad Chalo march organised by CJP on July 20, it added.The protection would not extend to persons with criminal antecedents, as mandated by a recent Supreme Court order, the order clarified.Delhi home minister Ashish Sood said central govt had already made it clear that no student would face legal action merely for participating in a peaceful demonstration. Govt fully respects the democratic right to peaceful expression and students who participated peacefully in the protest have no reason for concern or fear, Sood assured.The relief will, however, not apply to the participants who already have criminal cases against them or those who indulged in violence, vandalism or any other unlawful activities under the guise of the protest, he said. “Individuals with criminal backgrounds or those who attempted to take the law into their own hands by engaging in violence during the protest, however, will face legal action in accordance with the provisions of law,” he warned.Delhi Police officers said as per Supreme Court’s order, they would continue the investigation against people with prior criminal history. This will include people with past convictions, pending court cases or previous police records. A legal opinion is also being taken, said officers.The process to arrest the identified accused is underway, while no coercive action is being taken against students. The bail granted in any other case is not of any significance in the current investigation, officers said.During the talks to end the protest, central govt and CJP had agreed to scrap all cases against any protester and not file any new one. The recent decision comes amid allegations by CJP members and others that students who had participated in the protests were being harassed and threatened with arrest.
