SC refuses to restrict CJP's September 5 march in Delhi, says authorities expected to maintain law

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to impose restrictions on the Cockroach Janta Party's march planned for September 5 in Delhi. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant observed that there were no “compelling circumstances” to presume that anything untoward will happen.Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) national spokesperson Saurabh Das, right, along with party leader Ratna Singh, centre, outside the Supreme Court, in New Delhi, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026. (PTI)The apex court was hearing a plea seeking restrictions on CJP’s proposed march till after the BRICS Summit, which is scheduled to be held in the national capital on September 12-13.CJI Surya Kant said the authorities were expected to maintain law and order. They must ensure that all sides act peacefully, responsibly and in accordance with the law, he said.Earlier in the day, CJP co-convener Saurav Das said that it was "unfortunate" that the Supreme Court was being "dragged" into major issues concerning a mass movement. "It will do well for such petitioners to not derail," he wrote on X.CJP announces September 5 marchLast week, the Cockroach Janta Party announced that it will hold a peaceful march from India Gate to Delhi Police Headquarters on September 5 over the government’s failure to honour its July 25 commitments.In a statement released after a key press meet, the party said the march will be led by families of deceased NEET victims and victims of alleged police brutality during the July 20 ‘Sansad Chalao’ march.“We announce a peaceful protest march from India Gate to the new Delhi Police Headquarters on 5 September, led by the families of the deceased NEET victims and victims of police brutality, and joined by students and young citizens from across the country,” the statement read.The announcement came after the outfit’s National Working Committee held a meeting to review the Central government’s alleged failure to fulfil commitments made to the country’s youth, including assurances regarding the withdrawal or quashing of FIRs registered against students and protesters, as well as compensation for the families of deceased NEET victims.