Addressing the issue in open court, CJI Kant criticised what he described as reckless reporting of his remarks. “Some person mentioned it. Media has falsely reported that I refused to list the matter. It was only a representation and people started recklessly reporting it. I checked with the registry, and not a paper was filed,” he said.
Media reports on July 22 had claimed that the CJI had refused to list a plea alleging police excesses against student protesters in the national capital.
In response, the CJI remarked, “Please don’t waste our time and don’t waste yours. Your time is more valuable than ours.”
Even after the court proceeded to the next matter, the lawyer sought to present videos purportedly showing police excesses against protesting students. However, the Chief Justice said that the court was not interested in viewing the videos. These remarks subsequently came to be widely reported as the court refusing to hear the matter.
Students’ protest continues
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has called for nationwide protests on Friday, urging supporters to hold peaceful demonstrations in every district against the alleged examination irregularities and police action against protesters.
Activist and educator Sonam Wangchuk ended his hunger strike late Thursday night at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram in the presence of Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh. Wangchuk had been protesting alongside students and members of the Cockroach Janta Party, demanding the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged Neet paper leak. He said he ended his fast after receiving written assurances from the Centre that his demands would be met.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, hours after announcing fast-track courts to punish those responsible for examination paper leaks, said in a video message that a stringent new law was in the works. PM Modi said he had received the draft legislation and that it would be taken up at a Cabinet meeting on Friday.
