The Delhi High Court on Friday declined to grant urgent hearing to a public interest litigation seeking immediate intervention against a proposed protest announced by the social media group known as the “Cockroach Janta Party” at Jantar Mantar on June 6.
The petition, instituted by Save India Foundation, sought directions to the Union Government, Delhi Police, and other authorities to take precautionary steps to preserve public order and ensure that essential infrastructure and services remain unaffected during the proposed gathering.
The matter was mentioned before a vacation bench comprising Justice Saurabh Banerjee and Justice Amit Sharma. However, the Court did not agree to urgently list the case.
According to the petition, the “Cockroach Janta Party” has been running an extensive online mobilisation campaign calling for a large-scale assembly in the national capital. The petitioner claimed that the movement has gained significant traction across social media platforms and has attracted widespread participation, particularly among young users.
The plea further alleged that certain posts and messages associated with the campaign contain provocative content, including statements encouraging resistance to law enforcement authorities and calls that could potentially disrupt public infrastructure. It was argued that unchecked mobilisation of large crowds could create challenges relating to public safety, traffic management, and security arrangements across Delhi.
Save India Foundation informed the Court that it had submitted a representation to the Delhi Police Commissioner on June 4, urging authorities to put in place crowd-control and preventive measures. The petitioner contended that no comprehensive public plan had been announced by the authorities in response to those concerns.
Seeking judicial intervention, the plea requested directions for regulation or relocation of the proposed gathering, deployment of adequate police personnel, and protection of sensitive installations and transportation hubs, including Indira Gandhi International Airport. It also sought measures to ensure that emergency services, government institutions, and public utilities continue to function without disruption.
The controversy stems from the emergence of the “Cockroach Janta Party,” a satirical online movement that gained prominence after remarks made during proceedings before the Supreme Court. During a hearing, the Chief Justice of India had referred to certain individuals attacking institutions through online activism as “cockroaches.” The observation subsequently triggered widespread reactions online. The Chief Justice later clarified that his remarks were directed at persons holding fake degrees and not unemployed youth in general.
In the days that followed, social media accounts operating under the banner of the “Cockroach Janta Party” rapidly attracted millions of followers and became the subject of significant online discussion before eventually being suspended.
The petition has been filed under the title Save India Foundation (Regd.) v. Union of India & Others.
