HC reserves order on Kanhaiya’s bail, cops face tough questions

Though the prosecution maintained that Kanhaiya was “not cooperating” with the investigation and even came out with “contradictory” statements in joint interrogation by the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and Delhi Police, Justice Pratibha Rani wanted answers from the investigators to buttress their claims of having evidence on allegations which included that his speech was “more than political.”

 

“The presence at the spot is different from participation in the anti-national slogans,” Justice Rani said and wanted to know “Whether he played any active role in raising anti-India slogans.” 

“Whether the mobile recording, done at your (police) instance, showed that Kanhaiya had raised any 

such slogans,” the bench asked the police during the hearing of his bail plea which was witnessed by his father, uncle and an elder brother and the cops assuring that the arrested students leader would “not be victimised” if it was found that he has no role.

The family members were present for the second day on Monday after the February 24 hearing. They were brought inside the courtroom under police escort as the Supreme Court has made it clear that it is the responsibility of the Delhi Police to ensure the safety and security of the lawyers and those closely associated with the accused.

During the hearing in which there was a restricted entry only for lawyers of the parties and family members of the accused, Justice Rani, who reserved the verdict on Kanhaiya’s bail plea for March 2, sought clarification from investigators as to how the accused was leading the group shouting slogans when other political group of the students were also present.

“As per you (Delhi police) there were two (ABVP and AISF) groups. Explain how petitioner (Kanhaiya) was leading the group and shouted anti-India slogans,” the judge asked and added “do the police have video evidence that Kanhaiya was raising anti-national slogans?” 

Delhi Police, represented through Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Tushar Mehta, told the bench that they do not have any video in this regard but there was evidence that the JNUSU President was raising slogans and “the speech (by him) was more than political.”