The Supreme Court on Monday declined to impose restrictions on the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) proposed march in Delhi on September 5, observing that there were no “compelling circumstances” to assume that the event would lead to any untoward incident.
A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant was hearing a plea seeking restrictions on the march until after the BRICS Summit, scheduled to take place in the national capital on September 12-13.
SC leaves law and order to authorities
CJI Surya Kant said the authorities were expected to maintain law and order during the protest. He said they must ensure that all sides behave peacefully, responsibly and within the law.
The court therefore refused to intervene and restrict the proposed march ahead of the summit.
Earlier on Monday, CJP co-convener Saurav Das criticised the petition seeking restrictions. He said it was "unfortunate" that the Supreme Court was being "dragged" into major issues concerning a mass movement.
"It will do well for such petitioners to not derail," he wrote on X.
CJP plans India Gate to Police HQ march
The CJP had announced last week that it would organise a peaceful march from India Gate to the new Delhi Police Headquarters on September 5.
The party said the demonstration would be led by families of deceased NEET victims and people who were allegedly subjected to police brutality during the July 20 ‘Sansad Chalao’ march. Students and young citizens from across the country are also expected to participate.
“We announce a peaceful protest march from India Gate to the new Delhi Police Headquarters on 5 September, led by the families of the deceased NEET victims and victims of police brutality, and joined by students and young citizens from across the country,” the statement read.
Protest over July 25 commitments
The announcement followed a meeting of the party's National Working Committee, which reviewed what it described as the Centre's failure to fulfil commitments made on July 25.
The CJP said its demands include the withdrawal or quashing of FIRs registered against students and protesters, along with compensation for the families of deceased NEET victims.
The party said the September 5 march was being held over the government's alleged failure to act on those assurances.