CJP Protests : PIL In Supreme Court Seeks FIR Against Delhi Police, CAPF Officials Over Use Of Force On Student Protesters

A public interest litigation has been filed before the Supreme Court seeking registration of FIRs against Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel over the alleged use of excessive force against students who protested at Delhi's Jantar Mantar against Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan from July 20 onwards during the protests called by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP).

The petition also seeks an independent investigation into the incidents, preservation of CCTV footage, body-camera recordings and other electronic evidence, besides compensation for protesters found to have suffered injuries.

The petition contends that peaceful student demonstrators protesting against the NEET-UG paper leaks and demanding comprehensive reforms in the examination system were subjected to disproportionate police action, including lathi-charge, physical assault, use of tear gas and unlawful detention. It further alleges that unidentified persons in civilian clothing assaulted protesters in the presence of police personnel, warranting an independent investigation.

The petitioner has placed on record a pen drive containing approximately 100 videos, along with photographs and other electronic material, claiming that the evidence captures alleged police violence, assaults on protesters, detentions and other incidents during the protests. The plea seeks directions to preserve all electronic evidence, including CCTV footage, drone footage, body-camera recordings, police wireless logs, deployment orders and social media videos, to prevent destruction or tampering of evidence.

The petition seeks constitution of an independent judicial inquiry or investigation by an independent agency into the allegations of excessive use of force. It further prays for directions to identify and investigate persons in civilian clothes allegedly involved in assaults on protesters, register FIRs wherever cognisable offences are disclosed, and award compensation and medical assistance to persons found to have suffered injuries due to unlawful or excessive use of force.

The plea relies on media reports documenting the protests between July 20 and July 24, 2026.  At the same time, it notes the police version that some protesters resorted to stone-pelting and attacks on police personnel, contending that these rival versions should be independently examined through CCTV, body-camera footage and other electronic evidence.

The petitioner relies on the Supreme Court's decisions in In Re Ramlila Maidan Incident and Anita Thakur v. State of J&K to contend that the police force was excessive and disproportionate.

The petitioner also seeks directions to all States and Union Territories to frame and implement standard operating procedures governing police action during peaceful protests in conformity with Supreme Court precedents.

The petitioner is represented by Advocate Narendra Mishra, who had earlier sent a letter representation to the CJI last week seeking suo motu cognizance of the police actions. On July 22, Mishra had mentioned his letter before CJI Surya Kant, which the Chief Justice declined to list. The Chief Justice later clarified that he had declined listing of the matter since there was no properly filed petition before him.

The CJI on Friday agreed to list on Monday (July 27) two other petitions raising the same issue.