CJP Questions FIR Against Woman Booked Over Alleged Remarks Against PM Modi
A case registered against a woman for allegedly using abusive language against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar has triggered fresh political debate, with CJP spokesperson Saurav Das questioning the legal basis of the police action and accusing authorities of targeting young protesters.
The woman was booked after videos circulating on social media allegedly showed her using abusive language against the Prime Minister during the July 23 demonstration at Jantar Mantar. According to police, the case includes charges related to intentional insult, public mischief and defamation.
While the police maintain that legal proceedings were initiated following a formal complaint, the Cockroach Janta Party has described the FIR as an example of excessive use of criminal law against protesters.
Saurav Das Says ‘Profanity Does Not Attract Criminal Case’
Responding to the FIR, Saurav Das strongly criticised the action, arguing that although abusive language should be condemned, it should not automatically result in criminal prosecution.
Taking to X, Saurav Das wrote:
“Profanity does not attract criminal case. 50% of Lok Sabha MPs have criminal cases against them, close to 100 MPs in the BJP. The Police can focus their energy towards them, not a 25-year old! Harassment of the young must STOP immediately!”
Speaking to ANI, Saurav Das further questioned the decision to invoke criminal provisions against the woman.
“Since when has using abusive language become a criminal offense in this country? People use such language in everyday life all the time.”
He also appealed to the government to stop what he described as the harassment of young protesters.
“This is utterly condemnable. I once again appeal to the government and its police machinery to stop harassing the youth. Stop targeting young people in this way, and leave this girl alone. Such misuse of the police force in these kinds of cases is completely unacceptable…”
According to Das, using the criminal justice system against demonstrators over their remarks amounted to a misuse of police powers rather than a proportionate legal response.
Police Register Zero FIR, Complaint Filed by Ghaziabad Resident
Police officials said the matter began after Smriti Singh, a resident of Ghaziabad, approached the Expressway Police Station in Noida and lodged a complaint regarding the viral videos.
Since the alleged incident occurred outside Noida’s jurisdiction, police registered a Zero FIR before transferring the case to Parliament Street Police Station in New Delhi for further investigation. Under Indian law, a Zero FIR can be registered at any police station regardless of where the alleged offence took place and is later transferred to the appropriate jurisdiction.
According to the complaint, the woman allegedly used abusive and objectionable language against the Prime Minister in a public place.
As quoted in the FIR accessed by Hindustan Times, the complainant alleged:
“This act not only hurt the dignity of a constitutional office but was also allegedly intended to spread hatred and disturb public peace.”
Speaking to the publication, Singh said multiple videos of the woman had been circulating online in which she allegedly used offensive language against the Prime Minister and his late mother.
She added that after verifying the woman’s identity through social media, she approached the police seeking strict legal action.
Case Emerges Days After CJP-Led Protest Concluded
The controversy comes less than a week after the Cockroach Janta Party’s month-long agitation over alleged examination irregularities concluded at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.
The protests, which centred on demands for accountability over the NEET-UG paper leak, ended after the Centre accepted key demands, including the resignation of former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The latest FIR has once again brought the protest movement into the spotlight, this time shifting attention from the examination-related demands to the limits of political speech, criminal law and police action during public demonstrations. While police continue their investigation, the remarks by Saurav Das have added another layer to the debate surrounding the aftermath of the CJP protests.