NEW DELHI (Diya TV) — Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Friday said the Supreme Court never refused to hear a petition linked to the alleged police action against students protesting at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. Instead, he explained that the court could not take up the matter earlier because the petition did not follow the required filing process.
Speaking to NDTV, Surya Kant addressed reports that claimed the Supreme Court had declined an urgent hearing. He said those reports created the wrong impression and did not reflect what had actually happened. He stressed that the country’s highest court remains committed to hearing every case that reaches it through the proper legal process.
“The Supreme Court can never deny hearing of any case,” Surya Kant said. “It’s my commitment that we are available 24 hours.”
The clarification came after lawyers sought an urgent hearing on Wednesday over allegations that police used excessive force against students protesting against the NEET paper leak and other examination-related issues. However, the court did not immediately hear the request because the petition had not been filed in the required format.
Surya Kant said the court first needed a properly filed petition before it could schedule a hearing. He explained that a one-page letter could not replace the formal process required under Supreme Court rules. Therefore, the court had no legal basis to hear the matter at that stage.
“If I have not got the petition in the first place, what hearing would I give?” he said. “If they give a one-page letter and seek a hearing on it, that’s not the way. We can’t violate the Supreme Court’s process of filing a petition.”
He also emphasized that every litigant must follow the same legal procedure. According to the chief justice, the court cannot ignore established rules, even when a case draws public attention. He added that the legal process protects fairness and ensures equal treatment for everyone.
“The law is supreme. We have to follow it,” Surya Kant said.
Moreover, he reassured citizens that the Supreme Court remains committed to protecting constitutional rights. He said the court would use every legal power available to deliver justice whenever someone faced injustice.
“I want to tell the citizens of the country that the Supreme Court will do everything in its power under the law to give justice to anyone who faces any kind of injustice,” he said.
Later on Friday, the matter moved forward after the petitioners completed the required filing process. As a result, a Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant agreed to hear two petitions on Monday. The bench also included Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana.
The petitions focus on allegations that Delhi Police used excessive force against students during protests at Jantar Mantar. The demonstrations centered on the alleged NEET paper leak and broader concerns over examination irregularities. Students have demanded accountability and stronger safeguards for the country’s examination system.
During the hearing on Friday, Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan urged the court to take up the matter without delay. He argued that students continued to face police action while exercising their right to protest.
“The police are using excessive force against the students. The court stands between us and the police,” Sankaranarayanan told the bench while requesting an urgent hearing.
The Supreme Court accepted the request after receiving the petition in the prescribed form. Consequently, the bench scheduled the matter for hearing on Monday. The proceedings are expected to examine the allegations of police excesses and determine whether any immediate legal relief is necessary.
