Congress targets Delhi Police for taking 'high-handed' action in JNU row

The party further alleged that the probe was initiated without 'substantial evidence' in the incident

The Congress Party on Tuesday targeted the Delhi Police for taking 'high-handed' action in the JNU row, alleging that the B S Bassi-led team initiated the probe without having 'substantial evidence' in the incident.

Congress leader P C Chacko said that the police should act in a proportionate manner and should not conduct any proceedings without any clear cut evidence against JNU Students' Union President Kanhaiya Kumar.

"The fact remains that all the actions taken in the JNU incident were taken in a hurry, without going into the details and without having substantial evidence. It seems that it is a high-handed action from the side of the police," Chacko said.

"We find that the union president of the university was arrested, but still it is doubtful whether he was involved or not. The police are saying one version and there is another version, which says that he was questioning the outsiders who came to the university. So, without any clear cut evidence, the police should not be conducting any proceedings," he added.

The Congress leader also said that law of the land should be the basis.

"If the police have any evidence that anyone can be charged under any provisions of law, they can do so," he said.

Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court will today hear the plea seeking a probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in the sedition case against Kanhaiya Kumar.

It has also sought a judicial inquiry in the entire case, soon after a group of men in lawyers' robes were seen thrashing students and journalists in the nearby Patiala House court complex yesterday.

The petition alleged that Delhi Police was not investigating the case properly and the matter should be transferred to the NIA. The bench yesterday posted the matter for hearing today.

It also observed that the Delhi Police was already conducting a probe and would take the case to its logical conclusion.