Senior advocate Kapil Sibal has contributed Rs 1 crore to a legal aid fund set up by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) to support students and protesters facing criminal cases following last week’s Jantar Mantar demonstrations over the exam paper leak issue, LiveLaw reported.
The announcement came after CJP spokesperson Saurav Das expressed concern at a press conference that, despite assurances from the Centre, there were credible reports that criminal cases could be filed against students in several states.
According to LiveLaw, Das said the CJP had approached Sibal to help create a legal support mechanism for those booked in connection with the protests. Responding to the request, Sibal said he had agreed to provide legal assistance and announced that the CJP would launch a website to document cases registered against affected students and protesters. The portal will also enable lawyers willing to offer legal services, either pro bono or otherwise, to join the initiative.
“As far as peaceful protests are concerned, wherever students or protesters have been targeted, we have decided to create a mechanism to track the legal cases lodged by governments so that our lawyers can provide legal aid,” Sibal said, according to LiveLaw.
He added that the demand remained that no FIRs should be filed against peaceful protesters and that any cases already registered should be withdrawn.
Sibal also appealed to lawyers across the country to contribute to the fund. “From my side, I have contributed Rs 1 crore and I urge the advocates throughout India to extend their help in contributing to this fund so that we can help those affected. Our lawyers are standing up for those who have been affected by the misuse of law,” he said, as quoted by LiveLaw.
