Student Protests: Delhi Police Defends Action in Supreme Court Hearing

The Supreme Court has effectively shut the door on urgent pleas regarding student protests linked to the CJP’s recent “Sansad Chalo” march. Chief Justice Surya Kant signaled a firm stance against the petitioners, explicitly telling counsel not to waste the court’s time by requesting an immediate intervention or a review of protest footage. The bench declined to take cognizance of the allegations surrounding the crackdown at Jantar Mantar, opting to bypass an emergency hearing on the matter.

Tensions rise during student protests

In response to the legal challenges, the Delhi Police filed a robust defense, characterizing the demonstration as an illegal gathering. Authorities reported that over 240 police personnel sustained injuries during the confrontation. According to their official submission to the court, the department acted with maximum restraint while managing the crowds, and they flatly rejected claims that they employed excessive force against the participants.

Addressing the specific operational tactics used during the march, the Delhi Police clarified the presence of plainclothes officers on the ground. They stated these individuals were deployed specifically to assist citizens and maintain order during the march toward Parliament. This clarification comes as part of their broader effort to counter narratives of state-sponsored violence that had been highlighted by the various groups seeking Supreme Court intervention.

The legal petitions had sought a judicial probe into the police actions following widespread public outcry over the handling of the NEET paper leak protests. With the Chief Justice refusing to watch video clips or grant an urgent hearing, the judiciary has signaled that it will not currently be acting as an arbiter in this specific dispute. The decision leaves the fallout from the Jantar Mantar demonstrations to play out through existing administrative channels rather than high-court oversight.