Kanhaiya Kumar was attacked by lawyers while being escorted to the courtroom. Lawyers also attacked journalists inside the court complex. The Supreme Court sent a delegation to Patiala House, who reported that the Delhi Police is not doing its duty.
Kanhaiya Kumar was attacked while being brought to court. Credit: NDTV
New Delhi: JNU Students’ Union president Kanhaiya Kumar has been presented at the Patiala House court today, February 17. Ahead of the hearing, lawyers protesting against “anti-nationals” at the court attacked journalists inside the court complex in a repeat of Monday’s violence. They also threw stones and bricks at journalists and OB vans parked outside. Police inaction during the violence has raised questions once again.
Protesting lawyers were present even though the Supreme Court had said earlier in the day that no lawyers other than the prosecution and defence should be present in the courtroom. Although the CRPF had been deployed at the court, Kumar was roughed up and hit.
Delhi Police commissioner BS Bassi has said there was a lot of “jostling” and there was no option but to take Kumar through the crowd. He also said that he does think that the situation went out of hand at the court.
A medical team has also been sent to determine Kumar’s status and level of injury.
The Home Ministry has sought a report from the Delhi Police on the event.
After the attack, the Supreme Court sent six eminent lawyers, including Kapil Sibal and Rajiv Dhawan, to Patiala House in order to determine the safety of Kumar and report on the situation there. Kumar’s hearing commenced only once they determined it to be safe. Meanwhile, the delegation has told the SC that they believe the Delhi Police is not doing its duty.
At the hearing, Kumar’s judicial custody was extended till March 2. He has given the Delhi Police a statement saying that he is “an Indian” and does not support anti-national activity, highlighting his belief in the Indian constitution and appealing to everyone to “maintain peace in the country”.
