No petition filed on CJP protests; media recklessly reported that I denied urgent hearing: CJI Surya Kant

Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant on Friday took exception to what he termed as "false reporting" by media over his recent remarks made in connection with a plea about the ongoing protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) in Delhi.

It was reported by media that CJI Kant had on July 22 refused to list a petition which alleged that police and other forces deployed in the national capital were committing excesses against student protestors.

However, CJI Kant said in open court on Friday that there was no petition filed and it was only a representation.

"Some person mentioned it. Media has falsely reported that I refused to list the matter. It was only a representation and people started recklessly reporting it. I checked with registry and not a paper was filed," the CJI said.

On July 22, a lawyer had mentioned a matter alleging that police and other forces deployed in the national capital were committing excesses against student protestors at Jantar Mantar.

He sought listing of the matter, stating that there was video evidence of police brutality.

"Student protest is going at Jantar Mantar. Police is taking brutal actions..."

However, CJI Kant said,

"Please don't waste our time and don't waste yours. Your time is more valuable than ours."

The lawyer then said that he was seeking important prayers, including that NEET should be conducted fairly by the government and dissolution of the National Testing Agency (NTA), given the repeated paper leaks.

When the Court called out the next matter, the counsel insisted that he can present videos showing police excesses against protesting students. However, CJI Kant said that the Court was not interested in videos.

His remarks came to be widely reported.