NEW DELHI, August 31, 2026 – The Supreme Court on Monday declined to issue an order prohibiting a protest march planned by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) in Delhi for September 5, emphasizing its expectation that all parties involved will act peacefully and in accordance with the law.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana heard a plea seeking a ban on the march. Instead of halting the protest, the court issued a notice and directed the petitioner to present the complaint to the High Powered Enquiry Committee, a body previously constituted to examine allegations of police violence during recent NEET-related protests. The matter has been scheduled for further hearing on September 10, alongside other pending petitions.
1.Court’s Observations on Law and Order:
During the proceedings, the bench stressed the shared responsibility of protesters and law enforcement in maintaining public order. “They are expected to maintain law and order, and the enforcing agency has the responsibility to maintain law and order, saying what is illegal and what is permissible. We are expecting them to act within that framework,” the bench observed. The judges added, “From both sides, we are expecting that they will respect, they will conduct themselves and they will follow the law of the land.”.
2.Background of the Protest:
The CJP has organized the march for September 5, which coincides with Teachers’ Day. The procession is expected to be led by the families of students who tragically took their own lives following the cancellation and subsequent re-testing of the NEET examination earlier this year, as well as those who allege they faced police brutality during the 36-day July agitation. The political group accuses the Centre of failing to honor the assurances made on July 25, which led to the temporary withdrawal of the protests.
3.The Petitioner’s Demands:
The plea to stop the march was filed by Rajendra Singh, a retired Delhi Police officer. The petition requested the court to ban large-scale mobilizations or demonstrations in security-sensitive constitutional zones, such as India Gate, the Central Vista, and surrounding areas, unless proper permissions had been obtained. Furthermore, the petitioner sought the regulation, modification, or deferment of any proposed gatherings in Lutyens’ Delhi until the conclusion of the upcoming BRICS Summit, scheduled for September 12-13.
Despite the CJP announcing plans for a procession from India Gate to the Delhi Police Headquarters, city police officials have stated that they have not yet received any formal application requesting permission for the event.
Published by True Roots Media Network