Delhi Police Await Govt Order on Jantar Mantar Protest Cases, Journalists' FIRs to Stay
Delhi Police are awaiting a government order to withdraw cases linked to the July 20 Jantar Mantar paper leak protest. While legal proceedings may follow for most cases, officials have confirmed that assault cases filed by journalists will not be withdrawn.
The government had earlier assured the students protesting at Jantar Mantar that no legal action would be taken against them. A similar assurance was also given to activist Sonam Wangchuk, following which he ended his hunger strike.
The cases relate to the violence that broke out at Jantar Mantar on July 20, when protesters marched towards Parliament demanding the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan as the Education Minister.
Police said at least 20 cases were registered in connection with the violence and other related incidents. Of these, 14 cases were linked to violence, one case involved flying a drone without permission, while the remaining cases were filed by journalists alleging assault. Officials reiterated that the cases filed by journalists will not be withdrawn.
For the remaining cases, sources said that once the government issues an order, the prosecution will write to the lieutenant governor stating that it does not intend to pursue any further legal action. Following this, approval will be sought, after which the police will inform the relevant courts that they do not wish to proceed with the prosecution in those cases.
The matter now hinges on the issuance of a government order, after which the legal process and subsequent court proceedings will determine the future of the cases, while the assault complaints filed by journalists will continue to remain in force.

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