Centre moves Supreme Court to quash FIRs against youth protesters

The Union government on Monday moved the Supreme Court seeking to quash all first information reports filed in connection with the youth protests in Delhi in July, Bar and Bench reported.

The application urged the court to quash the 13 FIRs registered for offences including rioting, attempt to murder, robbery and damage to public property, using its special powers under Article 142 of the Constitution. Article 142 empowers the Supreme Court to pass orders necessary to ensure “complete justice” in any matter before it.

It also sought permission for the Delhi Police to register a fresh FIR against 2,873 persons with serious criminal records who were present at the protest site, the legal news outlet reported.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta mentioned the matter before Chief Justice Surya Kant and sought an urgent listing for Tuesday, Live Law reported.

The government assured the court that no fresh FIR will be filed in connection with the incidents mentioned in the application. It also said that if any similar FIR is filed later, the authorities will not oppose its quashing.

This comes ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party’s call for a peaceful march from India Gate to the Delhi Police headquarters on Saturday. The political campaign had spearheaded the protests against alleged mismanagement of several competitive examinations.

The Cockroach Janta Party said that the...

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