Despite Assurance, Mumbai Police Continue Summons to CJP Protesters
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) had called off its protest on Saturday after claiming an assurance from the Centre that cases against peaceful protesters would be withdrawn. However, on Monday, the Mumbai Police continued issuing notices and recording statements of those named in First Information Reports (FIRs) related to last week's demonstrations, stating they had received no instructions to halt the investigation.
Several students and young professionals reported receiving notices or phone calls from the police, asking them to appear at police stations. This has left many uncertain whether the promised withdrawal has actually begun. Advocate Vikrant Khare, representing several protesters along with a group of Bombay High Court lawyers, said, 'Police officials are continuing with their probe, including issuing notices to those named and recording statements. We were told they are proceeding with the case as no instructions have been given to stop the process. We request the senior police authorities and the state government to at least issue interim directions to halt proceedings until a formal order is passed to withdraw the cases.'
Senior police officers maintained there is no contradiction. They explained that investigations cannot be stopped midway and that, under existing procedure, cases arising from political or social protests can only be withdrawn after chargesheets are filed. 'The procedure for withdrawal of cases begins only after a chargesheet is filed. Until then, we will continue with the investigation, which includes recording statements of accused and witnesses, preparing panchnamas and completing other legal formalities,' said one officer. He added that once chargesheets are filed, cases go before a scrutiny committee that recommends withdrawals.
The state government periodically extends the Government Resolution (GR) under which such FIRs are withdrawn. The current extension runs till July 31. The officer noted that in most cases, chargesheets are unlikely to be filed before that date because investigations are still ongoing, requiring the government to extend the deadline again. 'The sooner chargesheets are filed, the sooner the withdrawal process can begin once the GR is issued,' he said.
The CJP had called off its protest on Saturday after the Centre accepted its demand for the resignation of former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The party said it had also received an assurance from Union ministers J P Nadda and Jitendra Singh that no action would be taken against peaceful protesters. Addressing a press conference in Delhi on Monday, CJP leaders alleged the government had failed to honour that assurance.
