25-year-old woman booked for expletives against PM Modi at CJP protest

Ruchika Singh allegedly made objectionable remarks at Jantar Mantar on July 23.

A complaint was filed against her on Wednesday, with the complainant alleging that her comments insulted the dignity of the Prime Minister's office and had the potential to disturb public peace and create disharmony.

Zero FIR registered in Noida

A Zero FIR was registered at the Expressway Police Station in Noida, allowing the complaint to be filed there despite the alleged incident taking place in Delhi.

The case was registered under Sections 352, 353(1) and 356(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, relating to provoking a breach of peace, statements conducing to public mischief and defamation.

The FIR has since been transferred to Parliament Street Police Station in Delhi, where further investigation will be conducted.

CJP says language may be wrong, but FIR 'unacceptable'

CJP spokesperson Saurav Das said Singh's language may have been objectionable but opposed the use of criminal proceedings against protesters over such remarks.

"Of course, if there's any language that was used which is derogatory in nature, then the person concerned is free to pursue civil defamation and criminal defamation against the person," Das told PTI.

"However, the use of criminal machinery to go against protesters is highly condemnable and no one should be punished for any objectionable language per se," he added.

Das said the remarks could be considered wrong or offensive but argued that invoking criminal law could have a "chilling effect", particularly on young protesters.

'Be careful with your words'

While defending the protesters' right to express themselves, Das also urged young people to exercise caution in their language.

"I would request everyone from the younger generation to be very careful with their words, and the kind of insults and sentences that you use against people in general," he said.

At the same time, he criticised the police for allegedly using criminal machinery against protesters.

"Criminal machinery being used is a big no-no. It is completely unacceptable, it should not happen," Das said, urging the police to "maintain calm" and not misuse their powers for political purposes.

Delhi government drops action against most protesters

The FIR comes on the same day that the Delhi government announced that no further legal action would be taken against people arrested in connection with the recent CJP protests, except those with prior criminal records.

The CJP called off its protests last week after 37 days following Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation. Photo: X/CJP

Delhi Home Minister Ashish Sood said the government stood by its commitment to the protesting students but warned that action would be taken against people with criminal antecedents who may have used the demonstrations to promote violence.

The protests had been held over the NEET paper leak controversy and included demands for accountability over alleged examination irregularities.