The Supreme Court on Monday declined to pass any interim order seeking to stop the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) proposed protest march from India Gate to the New Delhi Police Headquarters on September 5. A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, observed that there was currently no compelling reason to presume that the demonstration would create a law and order problem. The court issued notice on the application but declined to list it before the proposed date of the march.

The application was filed by retired Delhi Police officer Rajendra Singh, who sought directions against large-scale demonstrations or protest marches in sensitive areas of the national capital without the requisite permissions. Advocate Rizwan Ahmed, appearing for the applicant, raised concerns over the proposed route and the timing of the march, particularly with the BRICS Summit scheduled to take place in the capital. The counsel argued that the proposed gathering could create security and law and order concerns if held without prior approval from the authorities.

The applicant’s counsel also submitted that the demonstration had been announced through social media and, to his knowledge, the organisers had not obtained permission from the authorities. He questioned how such a march could proceed without the required clearances and urged the court to consider the matter before September 5. However, the Bench remained unwilling to presume that the proposed protest would result in an untoward incident and emphasised that demonstrations could be expected to remain peaceful and lawful.

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The Chief Justice-led Bench observed that the police authorities were responsible for maintaining law and order and directed the petitioner to approach the Centre with his concerns. The counsel argued that an urgent hearing was necessary and that the CJP could not easily be made a party because it did not have a registered office or letterhead. The court, however, indicated that the Union and Delhi authorities would have to take appropriate measures to ensure that public order was maintained within the legal framework.

The CJP had announced the September 5 march from India Gate to the New Delhi Police Headquarters as a peaceful demonstration, alleging that the Centre had failed to fulfil commitments made to young people on July 25. The party announced that the march would involve families of deceased NEET victims and victims of alleged police brutality, along with students and young citizens from different parts of the country. It also alleged that the government had delayed action on commitments relating to issues raised by the youth.

The party has also referred to proceedings before the Supreme Court on August 18, alleging that the court had sought details of FIRs registered across the country for consideration of the issue of their collective quashing. The CJP maintained that a clear government commitment on the matter had not been provided and that a written assurance was still awaited. The Supreme Court has now scheduled the application for detailed hearing on September 10, along with other pending matters connected with the student protests.

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