The Supreme Court on Wednesday declined to urgently hear a petition seeking its intervention over the alleged police action against student protesters demonstrating at Jantar Mantar over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak and reforms in the National Testing Agency (NTA).
The matter was mentioned before a bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant. The petitioner's counsel requested the court to take up the issue urgently, alleging police brutality against students participating in the protest.
However, the Chief Justice declined the request for an immediate hearing.
During the mention of the case, the lawyer referred to videos that allegedly showed police excesses during the protests. Responding to the submission, Chief Justice Surya Kant said the court would not rely on video footage while deciding whether to take up the matter urgently.
"We are not interested in videos; we don't have time to watch," the CJI remarked.
When the counsel continued to press for an urgent listing, the Chief Justice responded, "Don't waste our time, and don't waste your time," before declining to entertain the request at that stage.
The petitioner's counsel submitted that students had been protesting over issues of public importance, including the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, concerns surrounding the conduct of the examination, and demands for reforms in the National Testing Agency.The lawyer urged the Supreme Court to intervene, citing allegations of police action against protesters.
The protests have been organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a satirical collective that has emerged as a prominent voice during demonstrations over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak and examination-related issues.
The group's name originated from remarks made earlier this year by Chief Justice Surya Kant, who, during a separate hearing, referred to some unemployed individuals entering journalism and activism with "fake and bogus degrees." His comments drew criticism, after which he clarified that his remarks were directed only at those possessing fraudulent qualifications.
Supporters later adopted the term to create the Cockroach Janta Party, which has since organised demonstrations and mobilised supporters through social media.
Students and supporters have been holding protests at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, demanding accountability over the alleged examination irregularities and seeking the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Education reform activist Sonam Wangchuk also joined the protest and announced an indefinite hunger strike in support of the demonstrators' demands.
Subsequently, police removed Wangchuk from the protest site and shifted him to Safdarjung Hospital. Protesters alleged that police used force during the operation, while authorities have maintained that actions were taken in accordance with law and public order requirements.
The CJP later organised a 'Chalo Sansad' march, during which protesters attempted to march towards Parliament. The demonstration resulted in clashes with police, with protesters alleging excessive use of force and mass detentions. Authorities have not accepted the allegations of unlawful police action.
Before approaching the Supreme Court, the petitioners had moved the Delhi High Court seeking urgent intervention over the alleged police crackdown. The High Court declined to grant urgent relief, observing that the matter should proceed in accordance with the normal judicial process.
The Supreme Court has also, for now, declined to hear the matter on an urgent basis. The court has not expressed any opinion on the merits of the allegations, which remain subject to judicial consideration if the petition is taken up through the regular listing process.