‘Cockroach Janta Party’ Row: Supreme Court Seeks Responses On Monetisation Of Oral Remarks

The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued notice on a Public Interest Litigation seeking safeguards against the alleged commercial exploitation and monetisation of oral observations made during judicial proceedings.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana sought responses from the Union government, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Bar Council of India and Central Bureau of Investigation.

The court scheduled the next hearing for 10 September.

Advocate-on-record Rajesh Singh Chauhan filed the petition, raising concerns over social media users converting courtroom exchanges into viral clips, memes, political symbols and monetised digital campaigns without their judicial context.

The plea specifically cited the satirical ‘Cockroach Janta Party’ campaign, alleging that it transformed oral observations from a Supreme Court hearing into marketable content, online branding and political symbolism.

The controversy arose from remarks reportedly made during a hearing on 15 May concerning individuals allegedly entering professions using fake degrees.

References to ‘parasites’ and ‘youngsters like cockroaches’ subsequently triggered widespread reactions online.

CJI Surya Kant later clarified that the remarks referred only to people holding fake and bogus degrees and did not target the country’s youth.

The PIL challenges the alleged monetisation and distortion of courtroom remarks rather than legitimate criticism. It seeks safeguards and an investigation into commercial branding, memes and viral campaigns that could undermine judicial dignity and public confidence.

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