The Supreme Court on Wednesday declined to grant an urgent hearing on a petition challenging the alleged police action against students during the recent protest at Jantar Mantar led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP). The matter came up before Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, who refused the request for an immediate listing and made strong remarks while hearing the petitioner's counsel.

During the brief exchange in court, the petitioner's lawyer argued that students had raised significant concerns regarding the conduct of the NEET examination and the functioning of the National Testing Agency (NTA). The counsel requested that the case be listed urgently, citing alleged police excesses during the July 20 protest march and referring to video footage of the incident.

However, the Chief Justice declined to consider the request. Responding to repeated references to video evidence, CJI Surya Kant said, “We are not interested in watching the videos. We don't have time to watch them. We don't want to watch the videos.” When the lawyer again pressed the issue, the CJI remarked, “Don't waste our time.”

Protest Triggered Clashes

The plea stems from the events of 20 July, when the Cockroach Janata Party organised a march from Jantar Mantar to Parliament over the alleged NEET paper leak and other education-related issues. During the march, clashes reportedly broke out between protesters and Delhi Police at multiple locations after security personnel attempted to stop the rally from moving toward Parliament.

Police resorted to baton charges to disperse sections of the crowd. According to official figures, more than 100 protesters and police personnel sustained injuries during the violence. The incident has since become the subject of political debate, legal petitions, and public criticism.

Similar Plea Earlier Rejected

Before approaching the Supreme Court, petitioners had moved the Delhi High Court seeking urgent intervention. The High Court, however, also declined to immediately hear the matter, observing that the court should not be drawn into ongoing political developments.

Despite the setback in both courts, those challenging the police action continue to seek judicial scrutiny into the events surrounding the protest and the alleged use of force against demonstrators.

Bar Association Seeks Probe

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has called for an independent inquiry into the alleged lathi-charge on student protesters.

In a statement, the association expressed concern over reports that several students suffered serious injuries during the demonstration. It urged authorities to conduct a fair investigation into the circumstances under which force was used and whether standard operating procedures were followed.

Political Tensions Continue

The protest has also triggered sharp political reactions. Opposition parties have criticised the government's handling of the demonstration and demanded accountability for the alleged police action. The issue has disrupted proceedings during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament, where opposition members have repeatedly raised concerns over the treatment of student protesters and sought discussions on the NEET controversy.

The Centre, meanwhile, has maintained that law enforcement agencies acted to preserve public order and prevent protesters from breaching security restrictions near Parliament.

Background of the CJP Movement

The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) emerged in May after remarks attributed to CJI Surya Kant referring to some youths as "wandering like cockroaches" generated widespread discussion online. The movement quickly gained traction on social media, attracting a large following and positioning itself around issues related to education reforms and accountability.

In recent weeks, the organisation has intensified its campaign by staging demonstrations at Jantar Mantar and demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET paper leak.

With the Supreme Court declining an urgent hearing and political tensions continuing both inside and outside Parliament, the legal and public debate over the July 20 protest is expected to remain in focus in the coming days.