A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has declined to take up urgent hearing of a petition seeking Supreme Court intervention over how police handled the student protests at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. During the proceedings, remarks made by the CJI regarding videos cited by the advocate have become a talking point.
Raising the matter before the bench on Wednesday, the advocate requested that the Supreme Court take suo motu cognizance of police action against the students. However, the bench declined the request. Speaking on the occasion, CJI Surya Kant told the advocate, “Don’t waste our time… don’t waste your time either.”
Responding to this, the advocate explained to the court that the students were protesting over public interest issues, including the leak of the NEET-UG 2026 question paper, lapses in the conduct of the examination, and the need for reforms within the National Testing Agency. However, the CJI cut off the advocate’s argument midway, responding with, “Thank you very much.” When the advocate once again brought up the existence of videos related to police action, the CJI made clear, “We don’t have time to watch videos. We have no interest in watching videos either.”
Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court had also, on Tuesday, declined to take up an urgent hearing of a petition seeking the same relief, remarking, “Don’t drag every matter into court.”