New Delhi: Following a brief but pointed exchange with Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, lawyer Narendra Mishra has officially filed a petition in the Supreme Court demanding action against Delhi Police officers involved in a recent lathi charge on protesting students at Jantar Mantar.
The controversy began when advocate Mishra attempted to seek action against the police based solely on a letter. During the initial mention, Chief Justice Surya Kant reprimanded the lawyer, advising him not to waste the court’s time without following proper legal procedures. The Chief Justice later clarified that his remarks were directed at the procedural lapse of demanding action without filing a formal petition, rather than dismissing the issue itself. During the exchange, when Mishra tried to present videos allegedly showing police excess, the Chief Justice stopped him, stating he had no interest or time to watch the clips at that moment.
Taking the court’s procedural advice, Mishra has now submitted a formal plea. The petition seeks the immediate registration of an FIR against the police personnel who allegedly used batons and tear gas on students. Furthermore, the plea requests the preservation of all electronic and digital evidence related to the crackdown. This includes CCTV footage, body camera recordings, drone visuals, mobile phone videos, social media posts, police wireless communications, call logs, control room records, and official deployment orders.
The police action took place during a massive demonstration by students and Cockroach Janta Party workers at Jantar Mantar and other parts of central Delhi. The protesters were demanding accountability over repeated examination paper leaks, reforms in the National Testing Agency, and the resignation of then Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Tensions escalated when the protesters attempted to march towards the Parliament building and were intercepted by the police.
The prolonged agitation officially concluded on July 25 following the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. However, the legal battle over police accountability has just begun with this new Supreme Court petition. The court’s upcoming response to the formalized plea will determine the next course of action regarding the preservation of evidence and potential inquiries into the police conduct.