SCBA chief seeks probe into lathi-charge; CJP slams House gag

Supreme Court Bar Association president Vikas Singh called for a judicial inquiry into the lathi-charge on student protesters during the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) agitation over the NEET paper leak. Speaking at the SCBA's Independence Day event in the Supreme Court, with Chief Justice Surya Kant present, Singh said the system was failing students and urged the CJI to order an enquiry into the police action.

Separately, CJP chief spokesperson Saurav Das criticised the Lok Sabha for disallowing three sets of questions on the NEET protests. Das claimed the questions were blocked at the behest of the Union government, and pertained to NEET fee refunds, denial of basic amenities to protesters and the government's engagement with youth. He questioned the absence of home minister Amit Shah from Parliament.

Das said the right of MPs to question the executive was the heart of parliamentary democracy, and that gagging such queries would push people onto the streets. The twin developments highlight ongoing tensions over the NEET protest, which saw weeks-long demonstrations before the resignation of education minister Dharmendra Pradhan.