Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal announced a personal contribution of ₹1 crore to establish a legal assistance fund for individuals facing legal action after the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led student protests.
Speaking alongside CJP leaders, Sibal said his role was limited to providing legal support to peaceful protestors and emphasized that he had no involvement in the movement’s political activities.
During the press conference, CJP leaders alleged that protestors were being targeted in multiple states, outlined plans to build a nationwide legal support network, and warned that the organization would resume protests if the government failed to honor what it described as commitments made during talks on July 25.
Full Press Conference:
Sourav Das (CJP Leader): On July 25th, the Cockroach Janta Party called off our protest because the government either acted on our main demands—such as accepting Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation—or gave us assurances that they would implement them within agreed-upon timelines. In good faith, we ended the protest at Jantar Mantar and our nationwide call. Before and after this, we were consulting with Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal for legal guidance. We discussed several issues because some politically motivated PILs were filed, and we wanted to ensure this youth movement wasn’t derailed by anti-social elements or through the misuse of the courts.
We have been in constant touch with Kapil Ji for legal guidance. Even after calling off the protest on the 25th, we feared that once the momentum decreased, the government might start targeting individuals. This is a credible apprehension because we have seen this “playbook” used in other major protests where people are framed in false cases. From day one, CJP has been providing legal and medical help to students, and we sought Kapil Ji’s guidance on this matter.
Kapil Sibal: First, I want to say that our concern is solely for the students who sat on hunger strike and protested peacefully. We do not want any action taken against them because this was an organic movement. Often, governments—and I am not just talking about this specific government—do not want any dissent. I don’t know the specifics of the assurances given by Nadda Sahab, nor was I a part of those talks, but when they came to me, I said I would definitely help them on the basis of the law.
I suggested that wherever peaceful protests took place—whether in Bihar, Assam, Bengal, or Maharashtra—and where students are being targeted, we will create a system so that our lawyers can stand for them. If there are FIRs, they should be withdrawn. The CJP will create a structure to track where actions have been taken against protestors and identify local lawyers who can help. They will create a website where public-spirited lawyers can register to help, whether pro bono or for a small fee.
To support this, I am personally contributing 1 crore rupees to this fund. I will also urge other lawyers and citizens across India to contribute so that whenever the law is misused against peaceful protestors, our lawyers will be there to stand for them. This fund will be used exclusively for the protection of protestors; not a single rupee will be used for anything else. I have no involvement in the disbursement of these funds; that is their responsibility.
I have also been informed that the Delhi Police may use facial recognition to target and harass the families of those who attended. They might even try to view this through a communal lens. This movement is above class, creed, and religion; it is for the reform of India, which can only happen when people of all religions and castes come together. My role is strictly to provide legal support from the outside.
CJP Leader: We want to thank Sibal Sir. Looking at his track record, he has always fought for constitutional matters, the rights of activists, dissenters, and students. It gives the youth great confidence to have someone like him standing with us. Now, Ratna, our legal point of contact for CJP, will provide a status update on what is happening across the country.
Ratna (CJP Legal Point of Contact): Since July 25th, we have been in touch with lawyers in Delhi regarding detentions. In Assam, there are 7-8 FIRs, and one lawyer was even arrested and sent to judicial custody; local lawyers are currently helping with bail.
In Kolkata, 11 people were arrested—10 of whom are Muslim—which indicates a community is being targeted, and there is talk of applying the Gunda Act.
The most concerning news is from Bihar, where we urgently need a legal team because there is a lack of coordination among the lawyers appearing for individuals. In Siwan, Patna, and Chhapra, we have seen extreme police brutality, including the use of AK-47s. In Patna, FIRs have been filed for “Attempt to Murder” (a non-bailable offense) against 144 named individuals and 5,000 unnamed people. So far, 86 people have been arrested, and police are looking for more. We request student unions and public-spirited lawyers to come forward and help.
CJP Leader: To implement this, we are creating a website to invite public-spirited lawyers district-wise from across the country. This will create a vast legal network and give youth the confidence that if they are targeted unfairly, lawyers are standing with them.
Additionally, we took a pledge on July 20th to file complaints against police and RAF personnel who intended to cause physical harm or molest female protestors. We have launched a platform called “Sakshi” on the website cockroachjantaparty.org. We request anyone with photos or videos of brutality to upload them as evidence so we can fix legal accountability for these officers.
Ashutosh (CJP Leader): During our third round of talks on July 25th with J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh, there was an agreement that all FIRs against protestors and organizers related to the July 20th protest and nationwide protests would be withdrawn. It was also agreed that no new FIRs would be filed in the future. We submitted a written draft of this agreement, and the government was supposed to share a finalized version by Tuesday after legal alignment.
We are waiting for that copy and expect the government to honor the word of a Senior Cabinet Minister. If the written agreement does not arrive by tomorrow and if arrested protestors are not released, the Cockroach Janta Party will be forced to protest again.
Kapil Sibal: I want to clarify again that my role is limited to defending people based on the law; I have nothing to do with their political movement. I am here because I do not want wrongful action taken against those who were peacefully protesting for change.
Journalist: Have you spoken with Sonam Wangchuk recently?
Ashutosh: We are in constant touch with Sonam Ji. He was released from the hospital today and visited Rajghat. He is healthy and happy that the movement’s main objectives were achieved. He has also appealed to the government to honor the agreement regarding no cases against peaceful protestors and adequate compensation.
Journalist: Why is accountability only being sought from the BJP government when other states have serious issues too?
CJP Leader: The NEET paper leak was the trigger point that brought students to the streets. We have said from the beginning that accountability must be fixed regardless of the state government or political party involved. When the time comes, everyone will be held accountable.
Journalist: Will you provide legal aid even to those who are not students or those with criminal backgrounds identified through evidence?
CJP Leader/Sibal: Our legal team will study everything. We are also waiting for the government and the Delhi Police Commissioner to share copies of the FIRs filed so far, which they have not yet done. Once we have them, our legal team will review them.
