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Supreme Court declined urgent hearing on the CJP protest
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to consider a plea for urgent hearing over alleged police brutality against students who participated in the "Chalo Sansad" protest organised by the new political star Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) in Delhi.
In hearing the case, the Chief Justice of India Surya Kant declined the request for the urgent listing and said it was “not interested in videos” in the matter.
The lawyer asked if the videos were showing that police using excessive force against the protesters. CJI said, “We are not interested in videos. We don't have time to watch videos.” He advised petitioner to go through the proper legal process.
The lawyer asked for a suo motu intervention by the Supreme Court saying Delhi police used excessive force against thousands of students marching towards Parliament at the July 20 “Chalo Sansad” protest organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).
The petition argued that the demonstration raised major public issues, including alleged irregularities in the NEET examination, reforms in the National Testing Agency (NTA), and demands for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. However, the CJI responded, "Don't waste our time, and don't waste your time," before declining an urgent hearing. The bench, also comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohan, concluded the exchange with, "Thank you very much."
Supreme Court's decision came a day after the Delhi High Court refused to urgently hear a similar plea. Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya had observed, "Don't drag the Court into this," while declining immediate circulation of the matter.
However, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking an independent investigation into the police action during climate activist Sonam Wangchuk's hunger strike at Jantar Mantar is scheduled to be heard separately.
On July 20 the protest took on a larger wave of student participation as thousands marched from Jantar Mantar towards Parliament demanding reforms in the examination system and accountability over alleged examination paper leaks. As the protesters were moving towards the Parliament Complex sections of the crowd breached the security barriers and Delhi Police stopped the march at Jantar Mantar using barricades, tear gas shells and a lathi-charge.
The videos virally circulating on social media were seen to depict protesters being beaten up by the police personnel, while Delhi Police said force was used because demonstrators turned violent and pelted stones. Hospital authorities said about 100 protesters were injured while police said about 60 personnel were also injured during the violent encounter.
