Who Is Prabal Pratap Singh? Law Student Arrested After Ruckus, Assault Inside Supreme Court
The Delhi Police have arrested two Lucknow University law students, including 24-year-old Prabal Pratap Singh, for allegedly disrupting judicial proceedings, throwing papers at the bench, and using abusive language directed at the Chief Justice of India.
The Delhi Police have arrested two Lucknow University law students, including 24-year-old Prabal Pratap Singh, for allegedly disrupting judicial proceedings, throwing papers at the bench, and using abusive language directed at the Chief Justice of India. The incident, which occurred inside Courtroom 13 of the Supreme Court on July 10, 2026, culminated in a Delhi court sending both students to 14 days of judicial custody on Wednesday.
What Happened Inside Courtroom 13?
The incident unfolded during the hearing of a Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed by Prabal Pratap Singh. Appearing as a petitioner-in-person, Singh was challenging an Allahabad High Court order that had dismissed his plea regarding a cybercrime complaint. According to police reports and court transcripts, Singh's demeanor quickly turned aggressive. Addressing the bench consisting of Justices K.V. Viswanathan and Alok Aradhe, he referred to himself as "the sovereign" and labeled the presiding judges "judicial servants." Why Supreme Court Did Not Initiate Contempt Against Petitioner Who Abused CJI, Threw Case Papers.
"Mr. Judicial Servant, I order you to order the registration of an FIR against the ASP, Lucknow," Singh reportedly demanded. When the surprised bench questioned his authority to issue orders, the situation escalated rapidly. Singh threw a bundle of case papers into the air, scattering them across the room, and hurled abusive, unparliamentary language directed at Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant.
The Arrest and Legal Charges
When Supreme Court security personnel stepped in to maintain decorum and restrain him, Singh allegedly used criminal force to resist, pushing and assaulting an on-duty staff member. His associate, 23-year-old Chander Bhan—a second-year law student at Lucknow University—was also implicated and arrested alongside him.
Following a formal complaint filed by the Supreme Court security staff, Delhi Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) at the Tilak Marg Police Station. Both students were charged under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS):
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Section 132: Assault or criminal force on a public servant
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Section 221: Obstructing a public servant in the discharge of public functions
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Section 224: Threat of injury to a public servant
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Section 3(5): Act done by several persons in furtherance of common intention
During their subsequent investigation, police recovered pamphlets containing highly objectionable and abusive language from the possession of the accused. Supreme Court Hearing Interrupted After Petitioner Creates Ruckus, Throws Papers and Uses Abusive Language (Watch Video).
Lucknow Law Student Arrested Over Supreme Court Uproar
"Mr Judicial servant, I order you to register FIR against ACP Vikas Nagar, Lucknow"
Man later goes on to throw papers in the court.
Dramatic scene inside India's Supreme court. pic.twitter.com/8mPB2GPikV
— Piyush Rai (@Benarasiyaa) July 10, 2026
Medical Evaluation and Court Proceedings
On the court's observation, Delhi Police escorted both students to the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS) for a medical and psychiatric evaluation. Doctors concluded that neither student required immediate psychiatric intervention.
While the police initiated a criminal investigation, the Supreme Court bench itself chose not to initiate separate contempt of court proceedings. "We, considering the condition of the petitioner, do not propose to take any action against him," the bench noted, choosing to dismiss the petition solely on its legal merits.
On Wednesday, following the expiry of their initial two-day police remand, both Singh and Bhan were produced before the Patiala House Court, which remanded them to 14 days of judicial custody. They are scheduled to appear in court next on July 29, 2026.
Background and Reactions
Prabal Pratap Singh is a third-year LLB student at Lucknow University and a resident of the Etawah district in Uttar Pradesh. The outburst has drawn sharp criticism from prominent legal bodies. The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and the Supreme Court Arguing Counsel Association (SCACA) strongly condemned the ruckus, calling it a direct threat to the dignity and majesty of the country's highest judicial institution.
In an informal address following the event, Chief Justice Surya Kant took a measured view of the disruption, suggesting a lenient perspective on the students' youth while emphasizing the collective duty of protecting constitutional bodies. "Ignore the incident. Youngsters sometimes do such things," the Chief Justice remarked. Nonetheless, the criminal case against the duo for assaulting security staff and obstructing public servants continues to move forward in the Delhi court system.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 15, 2026 07:10 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
