The Supreme Court on Wednesday decided against urgently hearing a plea related to police action taken during student protests. The protests took place at Jantar Mantar initiated by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), responding to the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak.
This legal matter came to the attention of a Bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant. The petitioner’s counsel sought an expedited hearing due to the pressing concerns surrounding the situation.
However, the Chief Justice firmly denied the request, stating, “Don’t waste our time, and don’t waste your time.” His response underscored the Court’s busy schedule and reluctance to consider this matter as urgent.
The plea highlighted that students protested against significant public issues, including the alleged leak of the NEET-UG 2026 exam paper and necessary reforms in the National Testing Agency (NTA). This protest served as a platform for students advocating for transparency and accountability in the examination system.
During the proceedings, when the lawyer referred to videos claiming to display police brutality against the protesters, the Chief Justice remarked, “We are not interested in videos; we don’t have time to watch.” This statement reflected the Supreme Court’s focus on legal arguments rather than visual evidence.
Ultimately, the Bench did not pursue the request for an urgent hearing, concluding that the matter did not warrant immediate judicial intervention.
The Supreme Court’s decision follows closely on the heels of the Delhi High Court’s similar refusal to promptly address a plea concerning police actions during the protests. This pattern indicates a judicial hesitance to engage with matters arising from social movements.
The Cockroach Janta Party spearheaded the protests over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The agitation reached its peak with a march towards Parliament, escalating tensions between demonstrators and law enforcement. Reports emerged detailing clashes that resulted in allegations of police using excessive force and detaining multiple individuals.
Despite the Supreme Court’s refusal to grant urgent action, its observations remain strictly limited to the procedural request for expedited hearing. This doesn’t reflect on the merit of the serious allegations raised in the petition.
The current situation surrounding the protests draws attention to ongoing debates about the transparency of national examinations and the need for reforms in educational administration. Stakeholders across educational sectors must respond to the unrest stemming from these alleged malpractice accusations.
As the protests at Jantar Mantar continue to evolve, the legal landscape surrounding this issue remains unsettled, leaving many to wonder if other avenues for addressing student grievances will materialize.
