“How Dare A Magistrate Do That?” CJI Surya Kant’s Big Warning Over Noida Student Notice

New Delhi: Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant on Wednesday expressed strong displeasure over a notice issued to a 20-year-old Noida law student for allegedly participating in the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.

Hearing the matter in the Supreme Court, CJI Surya Kant questioned the Gautam Budh Nagar administration over the action and asked how an executive magistrate could issue such a notice when the court had already directed that no coercive action should be taken against students linked to the protest.

“How could a magistrate dare to issue notice? We made it clear that no coercive action should be taken against any student. No magistrate can violate our order,” CJI Surya Kant said.

SC Questions Notice Issued To Noida Student

The issue was raised before the bench after senior advocate Bishwajit Bhattacharyya informed the court about a September 4 notice issued to Gautam Buddha University student Akshat Tripathi.

The notice accused Tripathi of spreading “anti-government propaganda” and encouraging fellow students to join the CJP protest at Jantar Mantar.

The Supreme Court observed that the action appeared to be contrary to its earlier order protecting students who participated in the demonstrations.

Student Faced Rs 5 Lakh Bond Notice

The preventive notice issued under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) asked Tripathi to explain why he should not be directed to furnish a personal bond of Rs 5 lakh along with two sureties of the same amount.

Police had claimed that his activities could disturb peace and create tension on the university campus.

However, the notice was withdrawn the next day after an inquiry found that the information used for issuing it was incorrect.

Student Claimed He Was Not On Campus

Tripathi reportedly informed authorities that he had already left the Gautam Buddha University campus for his semester break and was staying in Prayagraj when the alleged incidents took place.

Although he admitted attending the CJP protest at Jantar Mantar on July 20, he questioned the allegations that he had mobilised students on campus.

CJI Surya Kant Warns Officials

CJI Surya Kant said that officials cannot ignore Supreme Court directions and warned against any attempt to bypass judicial orders.

“Nobody dare violate our orders,” the Chief Justice remarked.

The Supreme Court has now sought a detailed explanation from Gautam Budh Nagar officials regarding the circumstances under which the notice was issued.

Background: SC Had Protected CJP Protesters

Earlier, the Supreme Court had ordered closure of FIRs related to CJP protests held between July 20 and July 25 and clarified that mere participation in the demonstrations could not be treated as a criminal offence.

The court had also directed authorities not to register fresh cases against students for their involvement in those protests.