SC orders protection as minor CJP protester faces intimidation

A 14-year-old girl linked to the Cockroach Janta Party protests faced intimidation and a vandalised home as she pursued an FIR, prompting the Supreme Court to step in. The bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant demanded immediate action on the FIR and asked for status reports from Delhi and Uttar Pradesh on the case, security for the girl, and those accused of assault and threats^10,21.

The court stressed that such acts cannot be tolerated and that vigilantes who intimidate a child or her family while they pursue legal action would face serious consequences, citing prior orders and the need to protect minors in protest cases^8,11. The hearing focused on a video in which Swatantra Bhardwaj admitted assaulting the girl’s father during the protests and on why police had moved against the child instead of those seen with the accused, highlighting a clash between accountability and protection of a minor^8,18.

Delhi Police had previously added provisions under the SC ST Act to the FIR, reflecting the gravity of the harassment claims and the government’s role in ensuring safety during ongoing protests about NEET and other issues^15,25.

The court’s demand for action and protection sets a clear precedent that the state cannot let anti-social elements roam free or pressure a child away from legal action^21,9.