New Delhi, 22 July (H.S.): The Supreme Court on Wednesday declined to grant an urgent hearing on a petition challenging the alleged police excesses during the Parliament March held on July 20.

A Bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant told the petitioner, Do not waste your time. Your time is more valuable than ours.

The petitioner submitted that the plea had been filed in connection with an important issue, stating that the government should conduct the NEET examination in a fair and transparent manner and alleging that the police had used excessive force against students who were holding a peaceful protest.

The Bench then proceeded to call the next matter for hearing. At that stage, the petitioner said he could present video footage showing the alleged police excesses against the students. The Court, however, responded, I do not have the time to watch the videos.

The protest at Jantar Mantar has been underway since June 20 under the banner of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over allegations of a paper leak. Social activist Sonam Wangchuk began an indefinite hunger strike at the protest site on June 28. After fasting for nearly 20 days, he was shifted from Jantar Mantar to Safdarjung Hospital.

The protesters organised a Parliament March on July 20, during which clashes broke out between demonstrators and the Delhi Police at several locations across the national capital.

The petition alleges that the Delhi Police used excessive force against protesters at multiple locations during the march, including baton-charging students and using tear gas to disperse the crowd. FIRs in connection with the incidents have been registered at Connaught Place Police Station, Parliament Street Police Station, and several other police stations.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar