Faced with trenchant criticism for failing to protect journalists from attackers inside the Patiala House Courts premises on Monday, Police Commissioner BS Bassi on Tuesday said the alleged negligence is being probed and the guilty will face legal action.
Asked why policemen present at the Patiala House Court did not intervene when the assault was going on, Bassi only said the issue pertains to people from “two different lines of thought” confronting each other in a charged environment.
In the investigation, we will also probe whether there was any negligence on part of any police personnel. If it turns out to be so, the concerned official will face action, the police commissioner added.
Bassi’s comment after the assault had invited strong criticism. He had termed it as a “minor” incident, saying it was fallout of an emotive issue, comments which evoked strong reaction from journalists and JNU students.
A group of lawyers had thrashed up journalists and misbehaved with female journalists and JNU students and teachers in the Patiala House Courts complex ahead of the hearing of the sedition case registered against JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar.
Asked why Delhi BJP MlA OP Sharma was not been booked when he was caught on camera assaulting a man, Bassi said, “Whoever is found guilty during investigation, will face legal action”. “As soon as I got to know about the scuffle, particularly with journalists, I asked my officers to register a case and instructed the concerned DCP to expedite the investigation,” the Police Commissioner said on the sidelines of the 69th Raising Day Parade of Delhi Police.
About Sharma’s involvement, Bassi said both parties in the matter were taken for medical examination and they have given their statements to police.
Cops have obtained several video grabs and a separate team has been constituted to identify the accused persons. In the morning, a group of journalists went to police and claimed to have identified one of those who had assaulted them. Police said identity of the man is being ascertained.
Two FIRs were registered on Monday night in connection with the attacks on journalists and students and teachers of JNU. “The FIRs have been registered against unnamed persons under relevant Sections of the IPC,” DCP (New Delhi) Jatin Narwal said, adding, police registered both cases taking suo motu cognizance of the entire episode.