Delhi High Court Makes Key Observations on Jantar Mantar Protests

The Delhi High Court made key observations while hearing a case related to the arrest of Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka. The court reportedly said protests conducted without prior police permission would not be tolerated, warning that other groups could use student-led demonstrations as a cover to create disorder. Referring to protests in France, it cited reports of violence and looting in some areas to underline the risks associated with uncontrolled demonstrations. The court stressed the need for prior police approval for public activities, noting that such regulations are intended to prevent outside elements from infiltrating student protests.

The court also questioned why the leaders needed to visit Jantar Mantar after the venue had been de-notified for protests. It observed that barricades serve a purpose and that forcibly removing them could create opportunities for disruptive elements to join the gathering. The leaders had urgently challenged an order extending their judicial custody in connection with allegedly violating prohibitory orders and hoisting the national flag at Jantar Mantar. The High Court dismissed their petition. Referring to their ages 27 and 32 the court remarked that Ashutosh, aged 32, did not belong to Generation Z, generally associated with people born from 1997 onward.