Delhi High Court agrees to hear PIL seeking probe into Cockroach Janta Party protest
A former vice president of the Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha files petition, alleging that the participation of activists and political leaders has raised questions about the nature and objective of the protest
A portrait of educator and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk with copies of the Constitution of India and other books is kept where he was earlier sitting on his indefinite hunger strike during the CJP protest at the Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. File | Photo Credit: PTI
The Delhi High Court agreed to hear on Friday (July 24, 2026) a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking an investigation into the Cockroach Janta Party-led protest at Jantar Mantar.
Also read: Jantar Mantar protest updates on July 22, 2026
Petitioner Satish Kumar Aggarwal, former vice president of the Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha, said in his plea that the participation of activists and political leaders as well as the alleged involvement of foreign-funded organisations, has raised serious questions about the “true nature, purpose, and objectives of the protest”.
The court posted the plea for hearing on Friday (July 24, 2026) after Mr. Aggarwal’s counsel mentioned the plea, saying, “This is against the so-called student agitation. They have made the entire Delhi hostage. Roads have been blocked. Citizens of Delhi are suffering.”
The plea sought for a “comprehensive investigation” to ascertain if any “external elements were involved in activities prejudicial to public order, national security, and the sovereignty and integrity of India”.
“Leaders and members of various political parties participated in and influenced the protest, thereby converting what was projected as a student demonstration into a political agitation. The petitioner further alleges that the protest witnessed obstruction of public movement, including an ambulance, damage to public and private property, attacks upon journalists, attempts to breach security arrangements near Parliament House, and injuries to police and other public officials,” the plea stated.
“In these circumstances, the petitioner seeks appropriate directions for registration of an FIR, a thorough and impartial investigation into the incidents connected with the protests, and such further investigation by an appropriate specialised agency, including the National Investigation Agency, if the competent authority considers that the material disclosed warrants investigation under the applicable law,” it submitted.
The CJP has been staging a protest since June 20, seeking the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in public examinations. The agitation intensified on July 20 when thousands of supporters participated in the party’s “Chalo Sansad” march to Parliament.
On Wednesday (July 22, 2026), the court sought responses from the Centre and the Delhi Police on public interest litigations alleging the excessive use of force against demonstrators during the July 20 march.
The court also instructed the authorities to preserve all material connected to the police action, including CCTV footage and any video recordings of the incident.
Published - July 23, 2026 12:57 pm IST
Source: The Hindu — Cities
