In a major development, the Delhi police told the Supreme Court of India that it will continue prosecution against 2,873 individuals with serious criminal antecedents who were present at the Jantar Mantar during the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protests.
The cops proposed to a file a fresh, single FIR against these 2,873 criminals as per the National Crime Records Bureau database. They added that the accused were prima-facie present at the protest site.
In its application before the apex court, the Delhi police stated that a probe is required to ascertain the role played by the 2,873 criminals during the protest including crimes related to bodily harm and destruction of properties.
As such, it is clear that the government stood its ground about prosecuting criminal elements who were part of the CJP protests.
BREAKING: Delhi Police tells#SupremeCourt it "no longer wishes to pursue" 13 FIRs from July CJP protests, invokes Article 142
— Bar and Bench (@barandbench) August 31, 2026
• Reason cited: Centre decided on July 25, 2026 to move away from prosecuting the broader protest FIRs, which cover rioting, attempt to murder and… pic.twitter.com/KbukF3JFsr
During the same hearing, the Delhi police sought the quashing of 13 First Information reports (FIRs) that were registered against those involved in the CJP protests (with no prior criminal background).
The said FIRs were registered between 20th and 25th July this year at the Barakhamba Road, Parliament Street, Kartavya Path,, Mandir Marg, Connaught Place and Parliament Street police stations.
The charges included rioting, robbery, attempt to murder and damage to public property. The Delhi police requested the apex court to squash all the FIRs under Article 142 of the Indian Constitution.
This is in line with the decision announced by the Centre on 25th July 2026, which marked the end of the Cockroach Janta Party protest.
The Delhi police also informed the Supreme Court in the form of an undertaking that no new FIR will be registered hereafter in connection to the CJP protests in light of the larger public interest.
