New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): Delhi Police are unlikely to proceed with criminal action against the minor girl whose video containing abusive remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi went viral during a protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, according to sources.
The controversy began after Noida Police registered a Zero FIR based on a complaint over the viral video and subsequently transferred the case to the national capital. However, officials are now believed to have decided against registering a formal case after it emerged that the accused is a minor.
Age Discrepancy Came to Light After Viral Apology
The initial FIR reportedly identified the accused as a 25-year-old woman, but the girl later released an apology video claiming she is 15 years old.
In the video, she admitted that her remarks were inappropriate and said she had acted under the influence of others present at the protest. Calling it her first mistake, she apologised to the Prime Minister as well as the nation and requested forgiveness.
PM Modi Urged Compassion Instead of Punishment
The issue took a different turn after Prime Minister Narendra Modi publicly appealed for restraint while addressing the incident through a social media message.
Describing the students involved as “misguided youngsters,” the Prime Minister said that legal action alone would not help correct their mistakes. Instead, he urged society to guide them in the right direction and announced that he had chosen to forgive those who had used offensive language against him.
Mother Thanks PM, Appeals for Withdrawal of Case
Following the Prime Minister’s statement, the girl’s mother expressed gratitude for what she described as an act of compassion. She requested that the FIR lodged against her daughter be withdrawn, pointing out that the complaint had allegedly mentioned an incorrect age and identity.
She also urged the government to consider restricting access to social media platforms for children below the age of 18, saying minors are often vulnerable to outside influence and manipulation.
Incident Linked to Student Protest
The remarks were made during a student-led demonstration at Jantar Mantar, where participants had been protesting over the NEET examination paper leak and demanding accountability from the Centre. The protest, which continued for several weeks, was eventually called off after the government accepted several demands raised by the organisers.
Although Delhi Police have not officially confirmed the development, sources indicate that the girl’s status as a juvenile and the subsequent developments have influenced the decision not to pursue criminal proceedings against her.
