CJP calls off September 5 Delhi march after Centre’s assurance

The court on Tuesday took up applications by Delhi Police and states of Maharashtra, Assam, Bihar and West Bengal for quashing the FIRs registered against students who took part in the protests in July.

Earlier in the day, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said the state government had also urged the court to use its special powers under Article 142 of the Constitution to quash the cases. Mehta told the bench, also comprising Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana, that the papers were filed on Tuesday morning and urged it to take them up for hearing at 2 pm. The bench accepted this request.

CJP spokesperson Saurav Das announced the decision to call off the protest. File

Citing “public and national interest”, Delhi Police on Monday approached the court, urging it to use its powers under Article 142 of the Constitution to quash the FIRs against the students.

In its petition, Delhi Police said that in view of the Centre’s decision on July 25 to drop the cases, it “no longer wishes to pursue/ investigate the FIRs registered in connection with the CJP protests spread over 20th to 25th July 2026 mentioned in the list provided”.

The Centre had earlier told the court that except for 2,873 people booked for grave crimes such as murder, rape, abductions, cases against others could be quashed.

The Supreme Court is also hearing petitions seeking a probe into alleged excesses by security forces during the CJP-led march to Parliament on July 20.

The Cockroach Janta Party had called for the protest march in Delhi on September 5, accusing the Centre of failing to honour its promises, which include withdrawal of cases against the protesters.

In a post on X titled, “Sab Yaad Rakha Jayega”, meaning “everything will be remembered”, CJP said, “A month ago, on 25th July, we called off the protest after being assured that all four demands would be met. Three still remain pending: compensation for families of students, withdraw FIRs and no action against student protesters, RAF & Delhi Police apology.”

Union Minister JP Nadda, shortly after CJP’s announcement, said that the government welcomes their decision to call off the September 5 protest. He also said that the FIRs against those who participated in the CJP-led protests will be withdrawn.

“All FIRs lodged against those who took part in CJP-led protest will be withdrawn. We consulted all BJP-ruled states; they also assured to withdraw FIRs against CJP protesters, ” Nadda said in a statement.