The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Tuesday warned that it would relaunch its nationwide protest if the Centre and BJP-ruled state governments fail to withdraw the FIRs filed against protesters, claiming that commitments made during talks to end the movement have yet to be implemented.
On the same day, the Supreme Court cleared the way for an independent investigation into allegations of police excesses and attacks on police personnel during the protests, reports Hindustan Times.
The court said the allegations disclosed a prima facie case that required a “thorough, fair and impartial” inquiry by a high-powered panel.
In a statement, CJP said the Supreme Court’s directions were at odds with the assurances it claimed the Centre had given on 25 July.
According to the online collective, those assurances included the withdrawal of FIRs and a commitment that no protester would face direct or indirect action for taking part in the demonstrations.
“The interim order passed by the Supreme Court… must ring alarm bells across the country. In particular, Direction No. 4, which permits governments to proceed with existing FIRs and carry out investigations, raises extremely serious concerns,” CJP spokesperson Saurav Das said in the statement.
Das, however, maintained that the interim order did not stop governments from withdrawing the FIRs.
“Nothing in the interim order prevents the Government of India or the concerned BJP/NDA ruled State Governments from withdrawing the FIRs or deciding not to proceed against peaceful protesters… The court has not mandated that governments must definitely continue with the FIRs,” he posted.
