NALSAR Students Slam CJI Surya Kant's Inaction over Police Atrocities

• NALSAR students submitted a representation to reconsider CJI Surya Kant as convocation chief guest.
• The students' primary objection was to the CJI's response to a plea for urgent hearing in a case related to police action against protesters.
• The CJI told counsel not to waste time and refused to watch video evidence of alleged police action.
• A separate letter petition before the CJI seeks suo motu intervention in the police action, citing injuries to over 170 protesters.

The CJI told the counsel, 'Don't waste our time, and don't waste your time.'

A group of NALSAR students submitted a representation to the university on July 23, seeking reconsideration of CJI Surya Kant as the chief guest for their convocation. The students' primary objection was to the CJI's response to a plea for urgent hearing in a case related to police action against protesters at the 'Chalo Sansad' march on July 20. According to the representation, when a lawyer made a mentioning before the CJI on July 22, the CJI told the counsel not to waste time and that he was not interested in watching video evidence of the alleged police action. This incident has sparked controversy among NALSAR students, who feel that the CJI's response sets a bad precedent for upholding justice.

The representation submitted by the NALSAR students refers to a separate letter petition already before the CJI seeking suo motu intervention in the police action of July 20. This petition cites injuries to over 170 protesters, including women and children, and possible violations of the safeguards laid down in DK Basu v. State of West Bengal. The CJI's response to the plea for urgent hearing has raised questions about his commitment to upholding justice and protecting human rights. The students' representation also highlights the importance of considering the views of stakeholders before making decisions about convocation chief guests.

The controversy surrounding CJI Surya Kant's response to a plea for urgent hearing has significant implications for the legal community. Lawyers should be aware that the CJI's actions may set a precedent for future cases, potentially impacting their clients' access to justice. The incident also raises questions about the role of the judiciary in upholding human rights and protecting vulnerable communities. As convocation chief guest, CJI Surya Kant is expected to embody the values of justice and equality, but his response to this plea has fallen short of these expectations.

Lawyers should be aware that the CJI's response to a plea for urgent hearing may set a precedent for future cases, and could potentially impact their own clients' access to justice.

Source: Original reporting via NALSAR students' representation