A day after JNU students, teachers, and journalists at Patiala House Court were roughed up, assaulted and threatened by lawyers, the Supreme Court has decided to hear a petition on Wednesday to take corrective measures and ensure fair trial in the sedition case pending against JNU Students’ Union President Kanhaiya Kumar.
The Bench headed by Chief Justice TS Thakur passed the order after the petition filed by a JNU alumnus ND Jayakumar was mentioned in the court after lunch. Appearing for the petitioner, senior advocate Indira Jaising appealed to the Court to list the matter urgently following the shocking incident that took place within the Patiala House Court complex.
With the date of hearing coinciding with the date on which the two-day police custody of Kumar comes to an end, the petitioner anticipated similar violence by lawyers, who despite being caught on tape assaulting journalists, teachers and students, faced no action either from police or the Bar Council of India.
The petition made a two-fold prayer to ensure fair trial in the case and adequate protection to teachers, students and journalists attending the proceedings. The petitioner, who too was injured during Monday’s violence alleged police inaction in remaining a “mute spectator” to the brazen display of violence on innocent persons gathered in the court premises.
Citing fair trial to be an essential part of fundamental rights under Article 21, the petitioner urged the court to pass necessary orders to ensure a congenial atmosphere in the Metropolitan Magistrate court where the hearing is to take place. In addition, it even sought appropriate action to be initiated against any attempt by persons or group of persons seeking to obstruct the trial proceedings.