JNU row: Mayhem at Patiala House court; lawyers thrash students, journalists

A scuffle broke out on Monday between students and lawyers outside Patiala House court during the hearing of Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union president Kanhaiya Kumar, who was arrested on charges of sedition for allegedly raising anti-India slogans.

The students, who have been demanding Kumar's release, alleged that they were roughed up by a group of lawyers when they entered the court premises.

During the scuffle, three journalists were also attacked by some lawyers inside the court premises.

"I am not even a JNU student. We are peacefully waiting for him. Some 6-7 lawyers, started pointing towards us and then they abused and called us Pakistanis," said one of the eye-witnesses.

"These lawyers thrashed a journalist. I saw them beating him up brutally. They were saying that it is not the court but them who will decide the matter," said another person present at the court.

The students have been protesting inside JNU over the arrest of Kanhaiya Kumar. He was arrested after he allegedly made a speech against the hanging of 2001 Parliament attack accused Afzal Guru.