Rajeev Sharma :- The Delhi High Court on Thursday refused to grant an urgent hearing on a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking action against a proposed protest by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar on June 6, clearing the way for the demonstration to proceed for now.
The plea, filed by NGO Save India Foundation, was mentioned before a vacation Bench comprising Justice Saurabh Banerjee and Justice Amit Sharma. The petitioner sought immediate intervention by the court, arguing that the proposed protest could potentially disrupt public order and create law-and-order concerns in the national capital.
However, the Bench did not find sufficient grounds for urgent consideration of the matter and declined to entertain the request for immediate relief. As a result, no interim directions were issued to restrain the planned demonstration.
The petitioner had contended that large-scale protests at a prominent public venue could adversely affect normal public movement and pose challenges for law enforcement agencies. The court, however, chose not to intervene at this stage, leaving the issue to be dealt with through the existing legal and administrative framework.
With the High Court declining urgent relief, the Cockroach Janata Party is expected to go ahead with its proposed protest, subject to obtaining the requisite permissions from the authorities and complying with all conditions imposed by the administration.
The party has recently drawn attention for its announcements regarding demonstrations on various public issues. CJP leaders have maintained that the June 6 protest will be conducted peacefully and within the bounds of the law.
The development is being closely watched, as authorities are expected to make adequate security and traffic arrangements to ensure that public order is maintained during the proposed gathering.
