'Don't waste our time,' says CJI as SC declines urgent listing on CJP protest plea
SC declined urgent listing of a plea alleging police excess during the CJP-led student protest over exam irregularities, refusing to consider video evidence
The Supreme Court on Wednesday (July 22) declined urgent listing of a petition against alleged police excess on student protesters during the agitation by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over irregularities in exams.
When the lawyer appearing for the petitioner mentioned the matter appearing before a Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana seeking urgent listing of the matter on Thursday (July 23), the CJI responded saying "Please don't waste our time and don't waste yours. Your time is more valuable than ours,” reported the Bar and Bench.
Top court declines urgent listing
The lawyer continued with his submission, stating that the students were raising important issues, including the proper conduct of NEET and reforming the National Testing Agency.
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However, the CJI cut the lawyer short, stating, "Thank you very much,” reported Live Law.
The lawyer further stated that there is video evidence of the alleged police brutality on students. "I have the videos as well regarding police brutality... If it can be listed tomorrow (Thursday)... students are there," stated the lawyer.
Videos not considered
He said that students had allegedly been subjected to police brutality during the protest and said the petition contained three prayers.
The CJI declined the request and made it clear that the bench was not inclined to examine video footage at the mentioning stage.
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"We are not interested in videos, we don't have time to watch... We don't want to watch videos," the CJI said.
When the counsel reiterated that students had been beaten up and again referred to the video evidence, the CJI said, "Don't waste our time. We don't want to watch any videos."
Case stems from protest
The plea relates to the police action during the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) protest march to Parliament on Monday, the opening day of the Monsoon session, when thousands of students and young protesters converged in the heart of Delhi to demand the Union Education Minister’s resignation.
The march witnessed clashes between protesters and security personnel, who used lathis and tear gas to disperse crowds attempting to move towards Parliament.
(With agency inputs)