The Delhi High Court rejected on Friday the consideration of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that demanded an investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) or the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the march organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on July 20th. The court noted that this incident is already under the purview of the relevant authorities.
The bench ruled that competent authorities can take necessary action in accordance with the law. Following this, the court allowed the petitioner to withdraw the petition, according to a report by PTI. The court emphasized that the July 20th incident was known to the concerned agencies, and they would take action if necessary.
Initially, the petition called for the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) and an investigation by a specialized agency such as the NIA or CBI into the march directed towards Parliament on July 20th. The petitioner argued that the participation of political figures, activists, and the alleged involvement of organizations funded from abroad cast doubt on the nature and objectives of the protest.
Furthermore, the suit indicated that the demonstration led to obstruction of public movement, property damage, attacks on journalists, attempts to breach security measures near Parliament, and injuries to police personnel. The PIL contended that these allegations require a comprehensive investigation to ascertain the involvement of any external forces in actions damaging public order, national security, or the sovereignty and integrity of India.
Earlier this week, the Delhi High Court separately directed the Central Government and the Delhi Police to respond to petitions alleging excessive use of force against protesters during the July 20th march. The court also ordered the preservation of CCTV footage and other documents related to the police actions.
The court's decision comes amidst ongoing negotiations between the Central Government and the Cockroach Janta Party, which is leading nationwide protests over alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination. Earlier on Friday, CJP representatives held a nearly two-hour meeting with Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh. After this meeting, the organization stated that its demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan remains 'non-negotiable.'
CJP also demanded compensation of 1 crore rupees for the families of students who died by suicide after the cancellation of the NEET exam, and sought the withdrawal of cases filed against the protesters. The government reported that discussions would continue, with another round of talks scheduled for Saturday. Union Health Minister JP Nadda stated that the CJP delegation presented three main demands along with five proposals for exam reforms, and the government would respond after internal deliberations.
It was also noted that CJP agreed to participate in the dialogue upon receiving assurances that no legal action would be taken against peaceful protesters and that compensation issues would be resolved. These recent developments occur against the backdrop of the continuing political and legal fallout from the NEET material leak, which triggered the protests, disruptions to parliamentary functioning, and calls for systemic reforms in the country's examination system.
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Before the start of the monsoon season session, Delhi police announced that neither a request nor a permit had been obtained for the planned march to Parliament organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on July 20. The police warned that any unauthorized gathering would result in legal prosecution.
In an official statement, law enforcement agencies indicated that prohibitory orders are in effect in the New Delhi district under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which is analogous to the former Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). These restrictions prohibit demonstrations, processions, rallies, and gatherings of five or more people, except at the designated protest site in Jantar Mantar and only with prior permission.
Since the Parliament session begins on July 20, Delhi police asserts that detailed security measures have been developed to ensure public safety, protect vital government installations, and safeguard protected persons. Law enforcement agencies warned that violating the prohibitory orders could lead to criminal prosecution under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and other applicable provisions of the law.
Delhi police appealed to the public to maintain peace and order, asking citizens to refrain from participating in any unauthorized processions or gatherings and to cooperate with the authorities during the Parliament session.
Previously, the Delhi High Court upheld the Central Government's decision to intervene in Sonam Wangchuk's prolonged hunger strike after the education activist was moved from the CJP protest site in Jantar Mantar to Safdarjung Hospital. The court ruled that the Union Government's actions were entirely within its rights and found no arbitrariness or use of force in transferring Wangchuk for medical observation.
Nevertheless, this move provoked a sharp reaction from Wangchuk, his wife Gitanjali Angmo, and members of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). Angmo insists that the hunger strike continues, claiming that Wangchuk refused even oral fluids offered by medical staff.
