Plea for NIA probe in JNU sedition case dismissed by HC

Delhi High Court today refused to step into the ongoing JNU crisis which has created a political storm and dismissed a plea seeking NIA probe into the incident, saying it cannot jump into issues like politicians.
"We are not politicians. We just cannot jump into things. The investigation is on. The police, law and order are taken care of by the government and let them do the needful first," a bench of Justice Manmohan said, while dismissing the plea by terming it "premature".
The bench said the incident, in which anti-India slogans were allegedly shouted inside the campus of Jawaharlal Nehru (JNU) campus, was of February 9 and Delhi Police is already investigating the matter.

"It is an incident of February 9. Delhi Police is probing the matter. Let the police investigate first. We cannot step in unless necessary," the bench said, adding "the present writ petition is premature and is dismissed."
Advocate Hari Shankar Jain, who appeared for petitioner Ranjana Agnihotri, told the court this was a serious and sensitive matter as anti-India slogans were raised inside the university campus and the probe should be handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
He also sought court's direction to the Centre to appoint a judicial commission to look into the matter alleging that sovereignty and integrity of the country was threatened by few students and people associated with JNU.

The counsel also contended that "hostile foreign forces" were trying to destabilise the country.

Central government's standing counsel Anil Soni told the bench that it was a fact that anti-national slogans were raised but this was being investigated by the police.
He said the matter was under investigation as to whether it was a "youthful error" or was there any conspiracy behind the incident.
The petitioner, however, countered this submission saying it was not a youthful error and the matter was serious.
Delhi government's senior standing counsel Rahul Mehra told the bench that who had instigated this act was being probed by the police.

As soon as the hearing commenced, the bench observed, "Let the police investigate the matter. What is the urgency?."
During the hearing, the petitioner's counsel argued that
media houses should be directed to submit their reports about the incident.
To this, the bench said, "Police will ask for it. Do not worry."
Regarding the contention seeking direction for appointment of a judicial commission in the matter, the bench said, "No. The State will look into it."
However, the counsel alleged that no action was being taken by the police when anti-national slogans were raised.
"In the present case, the incident has taken place on February 9, so this court cannot say that the police is not investigating the matter properly. This court is confident that Delhi Police will investigate all the aspects," the bench said.

The plea was filed yesterday in the high court soon after a group of men in lawyers' robes had thrashed students and mediapersons in Patiala House court complex here ahead of the hearing in sedition case in which JNU students union president Kanhaiya Kumar has been arrested.
The petition had alleged that Delhi Police was not probing the case properly and the matter should be transferred to NIA.
Kanhaiya was arrested on February 12 in connection with a case of sedition and criminal conspiracy over an event at the university against hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru.
A case was registered under Sections of 124 A (sedition) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of IPC against unknown persons at Vasant Kunj (North) Police station following complaints by BJP MP Maheish Girri and ABVP.

The event was held despite the varsity administration having cancelled the permission following a complaint by ABVP members, who had termed the activity as "anti-national".