Mumbai Police have registered multiple criminal cases against people who participated in protests across the city in support of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led student agitation in New Delhi. The demonstrations, held between July 18 and July 22, were organised over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination and demands for reforms in the education system.
According to police, around 400 people have been booked in 13 FIRs for participating in demonstrations without prior permission and allegedly violating prohibitory orders. The cases have been filed at several police stations across Mumbai under provisions related to unlawful assembly, wrongful restraint, and disobedience to orders issued by a public servant. Those named in the FIRs were served legal notices and released, as the offences invoked are bailable and carry a maximum punishment of two years.
Demonstrations took place at several locations, including Shivaji Park, Chaityabhoomi in Dadar, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Garden in Chembur, and outside Shiv Sena Bhavan. Police officials said that no permission had been granted for these gatherings, prompting legal action against the organisers and participants.
Authorities also confirmed that further action is being initiated over an unauthorised protest held at Chaityabhoomi.
On Wednesday, July 22, police detained several protesters at different locations to disperse crowds assembled in violation of restrictions.
At Shivaji Park, around 1,500 people gathered for a demonstration supporting the CJP movement. Police detained nearly 200 protesters before peacefully dispersing the crowd. The gathering included demands for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, greater transparency in examination processes, and reforms in the education system.
In Chembur, approximately 700 to 800 protesters assembled at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Garden despite prohibitory orders. Police said they initially requested the crowd to disperse peacefully. While many complied, around 200 individuals were taken into custody for allegedly violating the restrictions. Legal proceedings have since been initiated against them.
Heavy police deployment was maintained at all protest sites to prevent any law and order issues.
Police officials said investigations into the registered cases are ongoing. While notices have been issued to those named in the FIRs, authorities have not confirmed whether additional cases or arrests will follow.
According to police data accessed by The Indian Express, a significant proportion of those named in the FIRs are young adults.
Among the 261 accused whose age details were available across seven FIRs:
Age details for another 40 accused were unavailable, although some were identified as students.
The police data also shows that women account for a sizeable share of those booked during the protests. Of the 301 people named in the seven FIRs examined, 91 are women and 201 are men, while the gender of nine individuals was not recorded. This means nearly one in every three accused is a woman.
The FIRs reviewed were originally registered at Sion, Worli, Dadar, Wadala TT, Mahim, Kalachowkie, and Bhoiwada police stations before some of the cases were later consolidated.
The protests are part of a wider movement supporting the CJP-led demonstrations in Delhi, where protesters have been demanding accountability over the alleged NEET paper leak, reforms in the examination system, and the resignation of the Union Education Minister.
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