Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said no writ petition was filed regarding police action against student protesters on July 20 [1].
The statement addresses a wave of misinformation regarding the judiciary's role in reviewing police conduct. By correcting the record, the Chief Justice is challenging the accuracy of media outlets that suggested the court had actively blocked a legal challenge.
Several media reports claimed the Supreme Court had refused to list or hear a plea challenging the police action that occurred on July 20 [1]. Justice Kant said these reports were "reckless" [2]. He said the court cannot refuse to hear a matter that has not been formally brought before it via a legal filing [1].
"No writ petition on the July 20 CJP protest has been filed," Justice Kant said [1].
The Chief Justice said such reporting is unacceptable, as it misrepresents the functioning of the highest court in India [2]. The clarification was made on Friday, July 24 [2].
"Reckless reporting on the matter is unacceptable," Justice Kant said [2].
The dispute centers on the events of July 20, when police intervened during student protests [1]. While reports circulated that the court had denied a hearing, the judiciary maintains that no such request was ever submitted to the court's registry [1].
"The reports are reckless," Justice Kant said [2].
“"No writ petition on the July 20 CJP protest has been filed."”
This incident highlights the tension between rapid media reporting and judicial procedure in India. When the Chief Justice publicly corrects the press, it suggests a systemic failure in how legal filings are verified before reporting. It also underscores the court's sensitivity to perceptions of judicial evasion during politically charged student protests.
