Delhi HC to hear PIL alleging ‘intrusive police surveillance’ of Cockroach Janta Party protesters
Delhi HC agreed to hear on Monday (July 20) a PIL against the alleged “intrusive surveillance” by the police of Cockroach Janta Party protesters at
Delhi HC agreed to hear on Monday (July 20) a PIL against the alleged “intrusive surveillance” by the police of Cockroach Janta Party protesters at Jantar Mantar. The plea filed by former JNU Students’ Union president Aishe Ghosh has challenged the installation and operation of a permanent surveillance tower and systematic photography and videography of protesters by the Delhi Police. The plea seeks a declaration that blanket photography, videography and operation of a surveillance tower at the protest site are unconstitutional.
According to the petition, since the commencement of the protest, participants have been subjected to continuous photography, videography and round-the-clock monitoring, including through a permanent surveillance tower allegedly installed at the protest site. The plea contends that the surveillance is being carried out without any disclosed statutory authority, procedural safeguards or constitutionally permissible justification. Jantar Mantar protest LIVE A key allegation in the petition is that police personnel threatened student protesters that photographs and videos taken at the protest site would be sent to their parents, guardians and educational institutions, with the apparent objective of discouraging them from participating in the protest.
The petitioner claims these threats have created a chilling effect on the exercise of the constitutional rights to free speech and peaceful assembly. Supporters of the CJP started their protest at Jantar Mantar from June 6, 2026, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s over NEET-UG paper leak and irregularities in other recruitment tests. CJP founder Abhijit Dipke earlier said that he will not leave Jantar Mantar until Mr. Pradhan resigns.
(With inputs from ANI)
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