The Supreme Court on Monday, August 31, refused to stop the Cockroach Janata Party’s (CJP) proposed protest march in Delhi on September 5. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana said all sides are expected to maintain peace, follow the law and act responsibly. The court also stressed that the enforcement agencies are responsible for maintaining law and order and determining what is legally permissible.

The plea was filed by retired Delhi Police officer Rajendra Singh, seeking restrictions on large-scale mobilisation and demonstrations in security-sensitive areas such as India Gate, Central Vista and Lutyens’ Delhi without the required permissions. The petitioner also sought regulation or postponement of the proposed mobilisation in view of the BRICS Summit scheduled for September 12 and 13. The Supreme Court directed the petitioner to approach the High Powered Enquiry Committee constituted to examine allegations of police violence during the NEET protests.

The CJP has announced the September 5 march in Delhi, alleging that the Centre has failed to fulfil assurances made on July 25 that led the group to withdraw its 36-day agitation over alleged examination irregularities. The march, scheduled on Teachers’ Day, is expected to be led by families of students who died by suicide following the NEET cancellation and subsequent re-test, along with families of those affected by alleged police excesses during the July protests. The Supreme Court has fixed the matter for further hearing on September 10 while urging all parties to respect the law.