'Supreme Court can never refuse a hearing': CJI Surya Kant clarifies remarks on students' plea

In an exclusive conversation with NDTV, Chief Justice Kant said reports suggesting the Supreme Court had declined to hear the matter were incorrect.

"It was reported wrongly that the Supreme Court declined to hear the petition. The Supreme Court can never deny hearing of any case. It's my commitment that we are available 24 hours," he said.

'File a proper petition'

Explaining the events that unfolded on Wednesday, the Chief Justice said the petition had not been formally filed when lawyers sought an urgent hearing.

"If I have not got the petition in the first place, what hearing would I give? If they give a one-page letter and seek a hearing on it, that's not the way. We can't violate the Supreme Court's process of filing a petition," he said.

"I told them they should file the petition properly. But they wanted it immediately. So I had to send a message to them to file a proper petition."

Chief Justice Kant stressed that the court welcomed the petition once it was submitted in the prescribed format.

"The law is supreme. We have to follow it," he said, adding, "I want to tell the citizens of the country that the Supreme Court will do everything in its power under the law to give justice to anyone who faces any kind of injustice."

Supreme Court to hear pleas on Monday

Earlier on Thursday, a bench comprising Chief Justice Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana agreed to hear on Monday two petitions alleging police excesses during the ongoing student protests in Delhi.

Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan urged the court to take up the matter urgently, alleging that police were using excessive force against protesters.

"The police are using excessive force against the students. The court stands between us and the police," he told the bench, adding that the alleged incidents were occurring almost daily.

Protests continue over NEET paper leak

The demonstrations, organised under the banner of the satirical political group Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), have been underway at Delhi's Jantar Mantar since June 6.

Students' protest against the NEET paper leak row at Jantar Mantar. Photo: CJP Instagram

The protesters are demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak and other alleged examination irregularities.

The movement gained national attention after Ladakh-based activist Sonam Wangchuk joined the protest with an indefinite hunger strike on June 28.

He ended his 26-day fast on Wednesday night.

High Court orders preservation of evidence

On July 22, the Delhi High Court directed authorities to preserve all records related to the alleged police action, including CCTV footage and videography, while the matter remains under judicial scrutiny.

Government begins major NTA overhaul

The protests have coincided with sweeping changes in the National Testing Agency (NTA), the body responsible for conducting major entrance examinations.

Sources said at least 47 officials have been removed from the agency, with disciplinary action expected against some of them.

Among the key reforms planned over the next month is a revamp of the NTA's outsourcing processes to make the examination system more secure and leak-proof.

The overhaul follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement of a series of measures to tackle paper leaks, including the setting up of fast-track courts to ensure quicker trials in such cases.

The NTA, established in 2017 as an autonomous testing body, conducts entrance examinations for admissions and fellowships in higher educational institutions across the country.