The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to urgently hear a petition seeking action over the Delhi Police crackdown on student protesters during the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) “Chalo Sansad” march, with Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant telling the petitioner not to “waste” the court’s time.
The matter was mentioned before a bench comprising CJI Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, seeking urgent listing and suo motu intervention over the police action during Monday’s protest in the national capital.
When the lawyer argued that the case involved important issues such as the conduct of the NEET examination, alleged paper leaks and reforms in the National Testing Agency (NTA), the CJI cut him short.
“Don’t waste our time, and don’t waste your time,” the Chief Justice told the lawyer.
As the counsel referred to videos allegedly showing police assaulting student protesters and offered to submit them before the court, the bench declined to consider them.
“We are not interested in videos; we don’t have time to watch,” the CJI said before refusing an urgent hearing.
Delhi High Court Also Declined Urgent Hearing
The Supreme Court’s refusal came a day after the Delhi High Court declined to urgently hear a similar petition challenging the police action during the July 20 protest.
While refusing immediate circulation of the matter, the Delhi High Court had orally observed, “Don’t drag the Court into this.”
Protest Turned Violent After March Towards Parliament
The petition relates to the July 20 “Chalo Sansad” march organised by the CJP, which has been protesting over alleged examination paper leaks and demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Thousands of protesters marched from Jantar Mantar towards Parliament on the opening day of the Monsoon Session. Delhi Police stopped the march using multiple barricades. As some protesters allegedly breached the barricades and moved towards the Parliament complex, security personnel used tear gas shells and carried out a lathi-charge to disperse the crowd.
Videos from the protest showed several demonstrators sustaining injuries during the police action. Police, however, maintained that protesters turned violent, pelted stones and damaged public property, making the use of force necessary.
Hospital officials told media outlets that around 100 protesters received treatment for injuries following the clashes, while Delhi Police said around 60 protesters and 118 police personnel were injured.
Political Row Deepens
The police action has triggered a sharp political confrontation, with Opposition parties repeatedly raising the issue in Parliament and staging protests outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence.
Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi has demanded an apology from the Prime Minister and reiterated calls for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Meanwhile, the CJP has expanded its list of demands as its agitation entered its 32nd day. Along with seeking Pradhan’s resignation, the release of activist Sonam Wangchuk and compensation for families of students who allegedly died by suicide, the organisation has also demanded that no FIRs or legal action be initiated against participants in the July 20 protest.
