CJP to launch nationwide legal aid network for student protesters; Kapil Sibal pledges ₹1 cr support

Days after calling off its nationwide protests, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Monday announced plans to create a nationwide legal support network for students and protesters facing criminal cases, alleging that authorities could intensify action against participants after the demonstrations ended.

Addressing a press conference alongside Rajya Sabha MP and senior advocate Kapil Sibal, CJP spokesperson Saurav Das said the organisation had been consulting Sibal for legal guidance both before and after withdrawing the protests on July 25. According to Das, the decision to end the agitation was taken in good faith, but concerns remain that participants could later face legal action.

"We apprehended that in the future, once the movement subsided or the momentum of the protest waned, the government might start targeting individuals. This is a very credible apprehension, as the same playbook has been observed in other major protests where individuals were singled out and implicated in false cases," Das said.

Backing the legal initiative, Kapil Sibal said he would contribute ₹1 crore towards providing legal protection to protesters. He also appealed to members of the legal fraternity to contribute to the fund and assist those facing criminal proceedings.

Sibal said the objective was to ensure that individuals who believe they have been unfairly targeted have access to legal representation regardless of where they are located.

District-wise legal network to be created

As part of the initiative, CJP said it will develop a dedicated website containing district-wise details of lawyers willing to provide legal assistance. The platform aims to connect those facing police cases with advocates in their respective districts, allowing quicker access to legal support.

Das said the proposed network is intended to give confidence to young protesters that legal help would be available if they are booked or detained.

The organisation also appealed to lawyers across the country to voluntarily join the initiative and expand the legal support network.

During the press conference, CJP also shared details of cases it claims have been registered against protesters in multiple states.

According to the organisation, Assam: Around seven to eight FIRs have been registered, and one lawyer associated with the legal efforts has also been arrested.

West Bengal: Eleven people have been arrested, with CJP claiming that ten of them are Muslims.

Bihar: The organisation alleged that police used AK-47 rifles during action against protesters. It also claimed that one FIR registered in Patna includes an attempt to murder charge, with around 144 named accused and nearly 5,000 unnamed persons, while 86 arrests have been made.

These claims could not be independently verified.

'Saakshi' platform launched to document alleged police excesses

CJP also announced the launch of an online platform called Saakshi on its website, inviting people to submit photographs and videos allegedly documenting police action during the protests.

According to the organisation, submitted material will be reviewed by its team, which will then coordinate with those who provide evidence. The platform also includes a tutorial explaining how users can upload material securely.

CJP said the initiative is intended to document alleged instances of police brutality and preserve evidence that may be used in future legal proceedings.

The organisation reiterated that legal and medical assistance had been provided to students throughout the protests and said it would continue extending support to those facing legal action in the aftermath of the CJP protest.