Supreme Court declines to stop CJP protest march in Delhi

The Supreme Court on Monday declined to issue any immediate orders to prohibit a protest march planned by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) in Delhi for September 5, stating that it presumes all parties will act peacefully and lawfully. A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, issued notices to the Centre and Delhi Police but refused to hear the matter before the proposed march date, scheduling it for September 10. The petition was filed by retired Delhi Police officer Rajendra Singh, who sought directions to prevent large-scale demonstrations in security-sensitive areas of Lutyens Delhi, including India Gate and Central Vista, without prior permission. His counsel, Dr. Rizan Ahmed, argued that the protest could lead to law and order problems, especially as it coincides with the upcoming BRICS Summit in Delhi from September 12 to 13. Ahmed highlighted that the CJP had not, to his knowledge, applied for permission for the procession and referenced violence during a previous march organized by the group on July 20. Chief Justice Kant, however, stated the court had no reason to presume untoward incidents would occur.