CM Kejriwal orders magisterial probe into arrest of students’ union president
In another showdown with the Centre, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday ordered magisterial probe to establish the “authenticity” of evidence produced against Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) president Kanhaiya Kumar. Kanhaiya was arrested on sedition charge in connection with an event organised on the campus in support of Afzal Guru on Tuesday.
Earlier, a delegation led by left parties and JD(U) called on Kejriwal seeking a magisterial probe to establish the “authenticity” of evidence produced against Kanhaiya.
After meeting, Kejriwal tweeted, “No one supports anti-national forces. But targeting innocent students using that as an excuse will prove v costly to Modi govt. To find truth, Del govt is directing DM to conduct an enquiry(2/2)”. He further tweeted, “There are claims that JNU student leaders shouted anti-India slogans and counter claims that ABVP activists did it(1/2).”
Following the tweet of Kejriwal, Deputy CM Manish Sisodia has set up an enquiry under New Delhi District Magistrate Sanjay Kumar and directed him to submit report in the next 15 days.
“It is necessary to enquire into the incident and bring out a factual report. Accordingly, it is hereby ordered that the DM New Delhi will enquire into the incident and submit a factual report to the Government within 15 days,” stated a Press release.
The decision to order DM enquiry could lead to another showdown between Centre and Kejriwal as the latter has not taken any prior approval from the Centre, said sources, adding that the State Government cannot issue magisterial enquiry without approval of lieutenant-Governor Najeeb Jung in case of Union Territory.
The Delhi Police has already registered an FIR and started probe into the incident.
The JNU administration had already ordered a “disciplinary” enquiry into the incident and said the act of students going ahead with the event despite cancellation of permission amounted to indiscipline and any talk about country’s disintegration cannot be “national”.