The Supreme Court of India  on Monday declined to urgently hear a public interest litigation seeking action against a social media satirist group--“Cockroach Janata Party” (CJP), saying the matter would be listed in due course under the regular process.

A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant advised petitioner’s counsel N.K. Goswami not to become overly emotional about the issue, observing that there was no extraordinary urgency warranting priority hearing over other pending matters.

The plea, filed through advocate Raja Chaudhary, alleged that remarks and observations previously made by the Supreme Court were being misrepresented on social media platforms.

Counsel for the petitioner argued that despite clarifications issued by the Chief Justice, the court’s comments continued to be distorted online in a manner that was “unfortunate.”

The petition alleged that digital groups such as “Cockroach Janata Party” were using the controversy to gain publicity, increase online engagement, sell merchandise and derive commercial benefits.

The controversy arose after remarks made by the Chief Justice on May 15 regarding young people entering the legal profession with fake degrees were allegedly misreported by sections of the media, creating the impression that the Chief Justice had compared the country’s youth to cockroaches.

The following day, the Chief Justice issued a clarification, stating that his remarks had been misinterpreted and emphasizing that he had immense faith and pride in the nation’s youth.

Apart from raising concerns over the social media controversy, the petition also sought a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into alleged irregularities within the legal profession.

The petitioner urged the court to order an independent investigation into the alleged presence of fake lawyers, forged law degrees, impersonation in legal practice and the declining standards within the profession.

In support of the demand, the petition cited a recent statement by Bar Council of India chairman Manan Kumar Mishra, who reportedly claimed that between 35 and 40 per cent of individuals wearing black coats and bands in courts could be fake or unauthorised practitioners.