New Delhi, August 31, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Supreme Court on Monday declined to stay the proposed September 5 protest march announced by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), saying there was no compelling basis at this stage to presume that the demonstration would create a law-and-order problem.
A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana issued notice on a plea challenging the proposed march but refused to take it up before September 5. The application will be heard in detail on September 10 along with other pending matters concerning the student protests.
The plea was filed by retired Delhi Police officer Rajendra Singh, who sought directions against large-scale demonstrations and protest marches in sensitive areas of the national Capital without the required permissions.
Advocate Rizwan Ahmed, appearing for Singh, expressed concern over the proposed march from India Gate to the New Delhi Police Headquarters, particularly with the BRICS Summit approaching. He submitted that the protest had been announced on social media and, to his knowledge, the organisers had not obtained permission from the authorities.
The counsel argued that an unauthorised gathering could potentially create a law-and-order situation ahead of the international summit and urged the court to hear the matter before the scheduled march.
The Bench, however, said it would not presume that the demonstration would result in an untoward incident.
“At least as of now, we will presume, and we have no reason to doubt, that everybody will act and behave in a very responsible manner and in a peaceful and lawful manner. So right now, for us, there are no compelling circumstances to presume that anything wrong will happen,” the court observed.
The CJI-led Bench said maintaining law and order was ultimately the responsibility of the police authorities and directed the petitioner to take his concerns to the Centre.
“We are not calling upon anyone who is not a party before us. Approach the Central Government,” the Bench said.
Ahmed nevertheless pressed for an urgent hearing, arguing that the organisers could not easily be impleaded because the CJP did not have a registered office or letterhead. He reiterated his concern over holding a protest without requisite permission.
The court remained unwilling to pre-empt the organisers’ actions and observed that the Union and Delhi authorities would be responsible for ensuring that law and order was maintained in accordance with the legal framework.
The proceedings followed the CJP’s announcement of a peaceful march from India Gate to the New Delhi Police Headquarters on September 5. The party has alleged that the Centre failed to honour commitments made to young people on July 25.
According to the CJP, the march will be led by families of deceased NEET victims and alleged victims of police brutality, with students and young citizens from across the country expected to participate.
The party has also alleged delays in implementing commitments made to the youth and claimed that the government had failed to provide clear assurances before the Supreme Court.
Referring to the Supreme Court proceedings on August 18, the CJP said the court had repeatedly sought a list of FIRs registered across the country to consider the possibility of their collective quashing. The party alleged that the government had not provided a clear commitment on the issue and said its written assurance to the organisation was still awaited.
“We announce a peaceful protest march from India Gate to the New Delhi Police Headquarters on September 5, 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 party had said.
The CJP said it was being “forced to return to the streets” over what it described as a “vishwasghaat (betrayal)” involving the Gen-Z generation and families who had lost their children.
It has appealed to students, youth organisations and young citizens to assemble at India Gate and participate peacefully.
The Supreme Court will hear the application in detail on September 10 along with other pending matters relating to the CJP-linked student protests.
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