Foreign funding behind CJP? Delhi HC to hear plea seeking NIA probe into protest amid backlash over police crackdown
&imwidth=600&imheight=450&format=webp&quality=medium "Foreign funding behind CJP? Delhi HC to hear plea seeking NIA probe into protest amid backlash over police crackdown")
Protesters in large numbers continue their protest at Jantar Mantar in support of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination irregularities and NEET paper leak, in New Delhi on Wednesday. Photograph: (ANI)
Delhi HC will hear a PIL seeking an NIA probe into the July 20 “Sansad Chalo” NEET protest. The plea alleges links to a larger conspiracy involving foreign-funded groups and political actors.
The Delhi High Court on Thursday (Jul 23) agreed to hear an urgent Public Interest Litigation (PIL) tomorrow seeking an investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) into the July 20 protest organised by Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) over the NEET paper leak. The petition alleges that the protest was not an isolated event but part of a broader conspiracy involving foreign-funded organisations and political elements.
The plea was mentioned before a division bench comprising Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia by Advocate Barun Kumar Sinha. Seeking an urgent hearing, Sinha claimed that the protest had caused major disruptions in the national capital.
“Entire roads have been blocked. Citizens are suffering,” Sinha told the court, referring to the impact of the demonstration.
What did petition allege?
The petition has been filed by Satish Kumar Aggarwal, a former vice-president of the Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha. In the plea, Aggarwal argues that what initially began as a protest focused on demands over the NEET paper leak issue has allegedly turned into a political demonstration after the involvement of various leaders. It added that the July 20 “Sansad Chalo” march witnessed incidents of violence, attacks on journalists, damage to public and private property, obstruction of public movement, injuries to police personnel and an attempt to breach Parliament security.
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He further sought an investigation by a specialised national security agency, saying that these incidents require a detailed probe into the organisation, participants and possible external links.
“The incident should not be treated as a simple case of public agitation or be confined to the registration of an ordinary FIR. In view of the circumstances surrounding the alleged attempt to enter the Parliament House premises and the possibility of involvement of organised or external elements, a comprehensive investigation by a specialised national security agency is necessary to ascertain the true facts, identify the persons responsible, and examine any larger conspiracy behind the incident,” the petitioner alleged.
The petition also raised allegations regarding the participation of social activist Sonam Wangchuk and author Arundhati Roy in the protest, claiming their associations and public positions required scrutiny. It further named several political leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh and Atishi, among others, alleging their involvement influenced the course of the demonstration.
The PIL seeks transfer of all FIRs registered by Delhi Police related to the protest to the NIA and action against those accused of violence, vandalism and obstruction.
CJP calls probe ‘politically motivated’
In response to the development, CJP spokesperson Ratna Singh questioned the credibility of a probe by a government agency, calling the move “politically motivated”.
“Why should an NIA probe inspire confidence? The NIA is a central government agency. How will the investigation be ensured to be transparent and independent?” she said in a post on X. “The petitioner, Satish Kumar Aggarwal, is a former president of the Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha. The plea appears politically motivated and seems aimed more at consuming the Court's time and attracting public attention than seeking genuine relief.”
