SC declines to restrain CJP’s September 5 protest march in Delhi

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Aug 31, 2026: The Supreme Court on Monday declined to restrain the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) from holding a protest march from India Gate to the Delhi Police headquarters on September 5, expressing confidence that the demonstration would remain peaceful and lawful.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana observed, “Right now, there are no compelling circumstances to presume that anything wrong will happen.”

Advocate Rizwan Ahmed, appearing for the applicant, argued that there was no immediate urgency in the matter. He pointed out that police were already conducting raids to arrest those named in FIRs and suggested that the group wait for 10 days until the BRICS Summit concluded before seeking permission for the march. If permission was denied, they could approach the court through urgent mentioning, he submitted.

The CJI observed that the matter involved two aspects — law and order and a policy issue. The court, he said, would presume that all concerned would act responsibly and ensure that the demonstration remained peaceful and lawful.

Ahmed urged the bench to issue notice and hear the matter on September 3 or 4, citing the presence of international media and the possibility of mischief by certain elements leading to an untoward incident.

The bench said that if any alarming or untoward incident occurred, counsel could file an appropriate application. It clarified that the issue would ultimately have to be considered by the police authorities and directed that the application be tagged with the main case.

Ahmed submitted that the group was behaving as though the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) did not apply to it and stressed that permission from the concerned police station was necessary.

The bench observed that such matters fell within the responsibility of law-and-order agencies, which would determine what was lawful and permissible.

“All aspects cannot be looked into by us. We won’t comment on everything. Please go to the high-powered committee we have formed,” the CJI said, describing the panel as a “neutral umpire” where stakeholders could deliberate on broader policy and law-and-order issues.

The committee would examine the issues individually and submit its response to the court.

The bench was hearing a petition filed by retired Delhi Police officer Rajendra Singh, seeking compensation for police personnel allegedly injured during a CJP protest at Jantar Mantar on July 20, as well as recovery of losses caused to government property.

The petition also sought a framework to regulate demonstrations near Parliament and other vital institutions, including the creation of reasonable no-demonstration or protective zones.