The Delhi High Court (HC) on Friday declined to grant an urgent hearing in a petition which sought preventive measures and restrictions ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) proposed protest at the national capital’s Jantar Mantar on June 6.

The Save India Foundation filed the plea, raising concerns over potential law and order issues stemming from the social media-driven movement’s call for a large-scale mobilisation in Delhi. The demonstration, as announced earlier by CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, is aimed at seeking the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged lapses linked to examinations and educational administration.

Court refuses to list matter immediately

The case had been mentioned before a vacation bench comprising Justices Saurabh Banerjee and Amit Sharma. The counsel appearing on the petitioner’s behalf urged the bench to take up the case on an urgent basis, citing concerns over public safety and crowd management.

However, the bench refused to list the petition for immediate hearing, as well as declined to entertain the plea on an urgent basis. Notably, the court’s decision came a day before the scheduled protest, which organisers claim is expected to draw students and supporters from various parts of the country.

Protest call gains momentum online

Earlier this month, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke had issued a video statement on his official ‘X’ handle, where he revealed he would be returning to India on June 6, and will stage a protest along with the supporters of the social media movement at Jantar Mantar. He pleaded to the students and supporters to congregate at Jantar Mantar and urged followers to join him at Delhi Airport on the said date.

The growing popularity of the campaign prompted concerns from the petitioner, who contended that the mobilisation could result in disruptions in key public areas if not regulated effectively. The petitioner also sought immediate preventive and crowd-control arrangements at major transit hubs, including the Indira Gandhi International Airport, metro stations and highway entry points into Delhi.