The Delhi Police issued a formal clarification on Friday, debunking widespread media reports and social media claims suggesting that passports of individuals involved in recent protest violence would be canceled.
Labelling the rumors as “misleading,” law enforcement authorities confirmed via a post on X (formerly Twitter) that no decision has been taken to revoke the travel documents of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) demonstrators, urging citizens to refrain from spreading unverified information.
“No such decision has been announced to cancel the passports of CJP protestors. Citizens are advised not to share or amplify misleading posts and to rely only on official information.”
— Delhi Police Official Statement
Origin of the Passport Revocation Claims
The official clarification followed several media reports citing unnamed police sources, which claimed investigators were evaluating passport cancellations under applicable statutory provisions. Reports suggested that authorities were using CCTV footage, digital video recordings, and facial identification tools to track individuals involved in the violent clashes near Jantar Mantar on July 20.
The July 20 demonstration, organized as a Chalo Sansad (March to Parliament) over alleged examination irregularities and paper leaks, saw significant street confrontations in central Delhi. While police deployed tear gas and baton charges to maintain perimeter security, demonstrators alleged excessive force, leading to injuries on both sides.
Key Developments Surrounding the Protests
| Aspect | Status & Details |
| Protest Subject | Demand for accountability regarding national exam paper leaks (NEET-UG). |
| Police Stance on Rumors | Misleading; no policy or directive issued regarding passport cancellations. |
| Status of Sonam Wangchuk | Hunger strike ended after 26 days following government assurances. |
| Government Engagement | Union Ministers J.P. Nadda and Dr. Jitendra Singh leading outreach with protest representatives. |
Wangchuk Ends Fast Amid Government Assurances
The police fact-check coincided with major political breakthroughs surrounding the demonstrations. Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk officially ended his 26-day hunger strike at Gurugram’s Medanta Hospital on July 23 after receiving explicit commitments from the Union Government.
Union Minister J.P. Nadda assured that the government would refrain from initiating criminal cases against peaceful demonstrators and indicated that comprehensive legislative measures to prevent paper leaks would be addressed in Parliament. Additionally, government officials confirmed ongoing talks at the Constitution Club of India to address candidate grievances and institutional oversight.
