'Pursue Defamation, Not Criminal Cases': CJP's Saurav Das After Woman Booked Over Abusive Protest Remarks

Published 31 July 2026 · local

'Pursue Defamation, Not Criminal Cases': CJP's Saurav Das After Woman Booked Over Abusive Protest Remarks Published By, Last Updated: July 31, 2026, 10:48 IST A

'Pursue Defamation, Not Criminal Cases': CJP's Saurav Das After Woman Booked Over Abusive Protest Remarks Published By, Last Updated: July 31, 2026, 10:48 IST A Noida-based woman was booked for using abusive remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the CJP protests over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak controversy Rapid Read Saurav Das, a CJP spokesperson | Image credit: ANI Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) spokesperson Saurav Das Thursday distanced the outfit from the alleged use of derogatory remarks during the recently-concluded protest at Jantar Mantar, while also asserting that the use of criminal justice machinery against demonstrators was “highly condemnable". The comments unfolded a day after a Noida-based woman was booked for using abusive remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the CJP protests over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak controversy. In an interview with PTI, Das stressed that those offended by such remarks should pursue defamation proceedings against the individual instead of invoking criminal law.

“If any language used was derogatory in nature, then the person concerned is free to pursue civil and criminal defamation proceedings against the individual concerned. However, the use of the criminal justice machinery against protesters is highly condemnable, and no one should be punished merely for using objectionable language", he said. The CJP spokesperson argued that while the language might be objectionable to some, it was not an appropriate reason to invoke the criminal justice machinery against the concerned person. “The language may be wrong, and it may be objectionable to someone, but that is no reason to invoke the criminal justice machinery against such people. It creates a chilling effect. I don’t think this is acceptable to anybody, especially the younger generation." ‘Request Younger Generation To Be Careful…’ Saurav Das urged the younger generations to be careful about the words they choose. “I would request the younger generation to be very careful about the words they use and the kind of insults or remarks they make against people in general." However, he reiterated that the use of the criminal justice machinery against protestors is a “big no-no".

“It is completely unacceptable and should not happen. We would also like to tell the police to remain calm and not misuse their powers for any political ends", he told PTI. Noida Woman Booked Ruchika Singh, a 25-year-old Noida resident, was booked by the police for allegedly making abusive remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 23 during the recent CJP protest at Jantar Mantar. A case was registered at the Expressway Police Station on July 29 following a complaint by Smriti Singh, a Supreme Court advocate and resident of Vasundhara in Ghaziabad. At present, the accused remains absconding and efforts are underway to trace her, according to the police. On Thursday, the Delhi Police announced it would not take any legal action against individuals who participated in the recent protests, adding those with a criminal background would have to face action. Led by the CJP, the protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar followed a major paper leak controversy linked to the NEET-UG 2026 and culminated last week with the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan as the Union Education Minister.