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Delhi High Court agreed to hear a PIL challenging the suspension of internet services in parts of central Delhi during NEET paper leak protests at Jantar Mantar.
Delhi High Court on Thursday (Jul 24) agreed to hear a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the Indian government’s decision to suspend internet services in parts of central Delhi during protests over NEET paper leak. The internet was suspended in the Jantar Mantar area, where the student demonstrations are taking place.
The matter was mentioned before a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia. The petitioner’s counsel urged the court to take up the plea on priority, arguing that the internet restrictions imposed in the protest area impacted citizens’ fundamental rights.
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The court accepted the request and listed the matter for hearing at 2:30 pm on Friday. Senior Advocate Colin Gonsalves is expected to appear on behalf of the petitioner.
Internet services were suspended in Delhi during the CJP protest at the Jantar Mantar on July 20. According to reports, telecom companies were ordered to shut down internet connectivity in the region amid protests. Internet disruptions were also reported on Wednesday and Thursday, with many vendors, shopkeepers and restaurants complaining that they were unable to accept digital payments.
The development came after a protest over a NEET paper leak organised by the Cockroach Janta Party on July 20 in Delhi turned violent, with police facing backlash for using tear gas and batons to disperse the crowd. Protesters have accused the Delhi Police of using excessive force against people at the demonstrations. The incident led to outrage across the nation, triggering demonstrations across several parts of the nation. There have been some instances of police officials being beaten by a mob as well. CJP has distanced itself from the violence in the national capital, saying that miscreants who incited violence were not part of the students’ protest organised by them but ill elements who wanted to derail the peaceful protests.
On May 12, the National Testing Agency (NTA) scrapped the May 3 National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate), or NEET-UG, following allegations that the question paper had been leaked. A fresh examination was subsequently conducted on June 21. The incident has faced backlash from students, educationalists, and leaders. So far, the CBI has arrested 13 individuals in the case, all of whom are in judicial custody.