The Supreme Court has declined to accord urgent listing to a petition seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the activities allegedly associated with the online movement popularly referred to as the “Cockroach Janta Party.”
The matter was mentioned before a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi. Counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that certain individuals were allegedly exploiting courtroom proceedings and judicial observations through social media campaigns that, according to the plea, undermined the dignity and credibility of the judiciary.
While considering the request for urgent hearing, the Chief Justice orally remarked, “Don’t take it sentimentally,” indicating that the issue did not warrant immediate judicial intervention. The Bench observed that no exceptional urgency had been demonstrated to justify out-of-turn listing of the matter.
During the proceedings, another counsel supporting the plea contended that the petition also raised serious concerns regarding alleged fake advocates, forged law degrees, and monetisation of selectively circulated courtroom remarks on digital platforms. It was argued that such activities had the potential to erode public confidence in the justice delivery system.
The Court, however, was not inclined to entertain the request for urgent hearing and stated that the matter would be considered in accordance with the regular listing procedure.
The petition reportedly seeks a CBI probe into the alleged misuse and commercial exploitation of oral judicial observations, claiming that portions of courtroom exchanges were being selectively edited, sensationalised, and circulated online for publicity and financial gain.
The controversy appears to have arisen after certain oral remarks made during previous Supreme Court proceedings gained widespread traction on social media, eventually leading to the emergence of satirical online content and commentary under the banner of the so-called “Cockroach Janta Party.”
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