The Supreme Court on Monday refused to restrain the Cockroach Janata Party from holding its scheduled protest march in the national capital on September 5, stating that all parties are expected to operate peacefully and within the bounds of the law.
A three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V Mohana issued notice on the plea and scheduled the matter for hearing on September 10 alongside connected petitions. The court also directed the petitioner to place the matter before the court-appointed High Powered Enquiry Committee currently investigating allegations of police violence during earlier protests against the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET).
Court Emphasises Adherence To Law And Order
Addressing the responsibilities of both law enforcement and demonstrators, the bench noted that policing agencies are tasked with maintaining order and defining permissible boundaries. The court stated that it expects both the authorities and the demonstrators to respect the law of the land, behave in a lawful manner, and function within established legal frameworks.
Petitioner Sought Restrictions Ahead Of Summit
The petition was filed by retired Delhi Police officer Rajendra Singh, who sought judicial directions to prevent any public mobilization or demonstration in security-sensitive zones—such as India Gate, Central Vista, and surrounding areas—without prior mandatory clearances.
The plea also requested that public gatherings in Lutyens’ Delhi be postponed, modified, or regulated until the conclusion of the BRICS Summit, which is scheduled for September 12 and 13. Additionally, the petitioner sought orders ensuring that any authorized march remains strictly within sanctioned geographical limits.
Protest Called Over Examination Grievances
The Cockroach Janata Party announced the September 5 march—coinciding with Teachers’ Day—alleging that the central government failed to honour commitments made on July 25. Those commitments had led the group to withdraw an earlier 36-day agitation over examination irregularities.
The upcoming march is planned to be led by families of students who died by suicide following the cancellation and re-examination of the NEET, alongside individuals who faced alleged police excesses during the July demonstrations.
While the political group announced plans for a procession moving from India Gate to the Delhi Police Headquarters, city police authorities earlier indicated that no formal application seeking permission for the route had been submitted.
