India’s Supreme Court has quashed all cases filed against students over protests by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) between 20 and 25 July. On Tuesday, a bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant declared the related FIRs invalid nationwide, covering all states and union territories. The order excludes cases involving people with prior records of serious criminal offences.

The court acted under its special powers under Article 142 after the central government assured it that cases linked to the 20 July CJP protest would be withdrawn and that no new cases would be filed over the matter. The court nevertheless allowed Delhi Police to pursue one specified FIR against 2,873 people who joined the Jantar Mantar protest and have records of serious criminal offences.

Following the ruling and the government’s assurance, CJP spokesperson and co-convener Saurabh Das withdrew the party’s planned 5 September Delhi march. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said Delhi Police and the governments of Bihar, Assam, West Bengal and Maharashtra had sought dismissal of protest-related FIRs. The court also directed the central government to complete compensation procedures within three months for families of students who died by suicide after the NEET-UG 2026 examination was cancelled.