The Delhi High Court today dismissed a PIL seeking fact-finding into lathi charge claims against Delhi Police during the NEET paper leak protest which took place at Jantar Mantar earlier in June, orally remarking that there was no public interest in the plea. [2026 LiveLaw (Del) 852] 

The plea claims that there is conflict as media reports claim lathi charge was done while the Delhi Police rejects this claim.

For context, on July 20 Cockroach Janta Party had called for Chalo Sansad march in the national capital, which reportedly saw alleged use of excessive force on protesters as well as injuries allegedly sustained by officers from the side of protesters.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia said that PIL jurisdiction is not meant for such matters.

The Court declined the plea filed by one Nitin Naresh, claiming to be a person belonging from the media community. Naresh had prayed that his representation seeking a fact finding into the two conflicting stands be directed to be decided.

However, the Court questioned his prayer saying that media news is no evidence.

“Is there any conflict between the official statements of the Delhi Police and the Central Police Forces? We will not entertain such petitions...All sorts of matters are being filed here. There is no public interest in this,” the Court orally said. 

The court thus dismissed the PIL.

Case title: Nitin Naresh v. Union of India & Ors [WP (C) 13480/2026]

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Del) 852