Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government on Monday withdrew about 868 cases that were registered against people for protesting against the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and operation of TASMAC outlets in the state.
In a statement from the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Chief Minister MK Stalin has directed the police officials to withdraw 446 cases that were filed against people for participating in NEET protests and 422 cases filed against people for opposing the operation of TASMAC outlets and drop further actions on these cases.
In early September, the state government has withdrawn about 5,570 cases - 26 cases filed against journalists, 2,831 cases filed for protests against the farm laws, 405 cases filed for protesting against the eight-lane Salem expressway project, 2,282 cases filed for protesting against CAA, and 26 cases filed for protesting against Kudankulam nuclear power plant project.
In the election manifesto, the ruling party had assured to withdraw cases registered against people, who participated in multiple protests during AIADMK’s rule. Subsequently, an announcement was made in the state assembly by Chief Minister MK Stalin.
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According to media reports, only those cases that are still pending or without charge sheets were withdrawn and the government had recommended that the police drop further actions in these cases. For those cases that are pending before the court, the government has directed the assistant public prosecutor to move an application to withdraw the case.
Pointing out that cases against MLAs and MPs cannot be withdrawn without the permission of the High Court as per Supreme Court directions, the government will submit the required details before the Madras High Court at the earliest, as per media reports.