Haryana to withdraw Covid-lockdown FIRs, breather for 14,000 people

Haryana announced on Thursday that it shall withdraw 8,275 cases registered during the Covid-19 lockdown period for various violations of the Standard Operating Protocols and guidelines issued by the Central Government as well as the state government.

“A total of 14,127 people were arrested in these First Information Reports (FIRs). All such cases shall now be withdrawn. There are certain cases, which are pending trials in various courts of law. We shall be taking up the matter with the courts and initiate proceedings to withdraw all such FIRs,” Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar told reporters.

Elaborating on the violations that resulted in the FIRs, Khattar added primarily the cases were registered for not wearing face masks or standing in groups – basically violations under Section 144 of CrPC. “For instance, 1,030 FIRs were registered in Gurgaon, 814 in Jhajjar, 565 in Faridabad, 545 in Karnal, and 646 in Rohtak etc. A total of 14,127 persons who were arrested in these FIRs will get relief,” he said.

“It was a difficult phase that we crossed. With this step now taken by the government, all such people will get relief”, Khattar said.