Under fire over violence in the Patiala House court complex on Wednesday, Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi denied that JNUSU leader Kanhaiya Kumar was “beaten up”. Bassi defended the handling of the situation, saying use of “heavy force” against lawyers would have been counter- productive and inappropriate.
Meanwhile, under attack for slapping sedition charge against Kanhaiya Kumar, Bassi said there was enough evidence against him and people from outside had also come to the controversial event at the varsity during which anti-India slogans were alleged to have been raised. He also said the ring-leader behind the incident has been identified.
Reacting to attacks on Delhi Police’s handling of the situation at the Patiala House court complex in the wake of attack on Kumar and journalists by a group of lawyers, Bassi said, “I do not think he was beaten up. There was lot of jostling. We expected jostling and considering that he was escorted by a requisite number of police officers. He was taken care of by our officers… I do not think you can call the situation (in the court complex) went out of hand.”
He said the officers covered him physically and he was protected from being assaulted.
Bassi said use of force would have been counter-productive. “lawyers are officers of the court...Use of heavy force would have been inappropriate in this case,” he said.
Bassi cited earlier instances of violence involving lawyers in Madras High Court, Allahabad High Court and elsewhere to buttress his point that lawyers are to be handled carefully.
“We have managed the situation. There was no breach of peace. We have followed norms of prudent policing,” Bassi said. He said he had no idea as to what the Supreme Court-appointed lawyers have said in their report. “If they find me guilty, then I have a right to rebut,” he added.
Referring to Monday’s violence in which a group of lawyers had attacked journalists, JNU students and teachers, Bassi said three lawyers including VK Chouhan and BJP MlA OP Sharma have been summoned for questioning. He expressed hope that they will appear before the investigating officer and give their version of the events.
Meanwhile, under attack for slapping sedition charge against Kanhaiya Kumar, Bassi said that there was enough evidence against him.
“We have adequate evidence against him (Kumar). I won’t be telling you about the process of investigation and what all we have found out so far,” Bassi said.
He dismissed reports citing inputs from security agencies that Kumar may not have raised anti-national slogans or made an inflammatory speech at the JNU event.
“People in huge numbers participated in it (the event), and we have already identified the ring leader. Now we are looking for all those who have been identified. Very soon we will get hold of them,” he said.