New Delhi: CPI on Thursday demanded the immediate release of JNUSU President Kanhaiya Kumar from jail and withdrawal of the "concocted" sedition charge against him, besides sacking of city police chief B S Bassi.
They also asked the government to ensure maximum security to the student leader who is lodged in Tihar Jail under judicial custody till March 2 and action against the group of unruly lawyers who attacked Kanhaiya, students and others in the Patiala House Courts complex on two days.
The demands were made by party General Secretary S Sudhakar Reddy and national secretary D Raja when they met Home Minister Rajnath Singh here.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, the CPI leaders also demanded sacking of Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi for his alleged "laxity" in not ensuring adequate security cover at the Patiala House court complex for Kanhaiya, who was attacked by some lawyers yesterday, and said the police officer "must not go unquestioned".
Noting that a team of senior lawyers were also attacked in the court complex, Reddy said "all this happened because of Bassi's statement that even first day attacks were small minor scuffle which gave them the courage to attack again. Hence Bassi should be immediately relieved or even dismissed."
"Despite Supreme Court directives, students, journalists and some lawyers were attacked in an unruly manner yesterday. We believe it is because of the laxity on part of Bassi in ensuring security in the court premises," Raja said.
They said the Home Minister, on his part, assured them that he would look into the matter and also hold a meeting of officials to discuss it.
Reddy said the charges against Kanhaiya were "concocted" and he was "framed" in a false case and insisted that these charges be withdrawn and the JNUSU President be released "immediately".
"Kanhaiya was attacked yesterday, that too in the court premises and in front of the police. Now he is in jail. So, we told the Minister to ensure he remains safe there. If something happens to him in jail, the Government will be squarely responsible for it," Raja said.
Reddy said they also asked the government to take action against a group of lawyers led by Vikram Singh Chauhan who had attacked on students and scribes, as well as Kanhaiya.
He alleged that Chauhan, whose photograph with the Home Minister has surfaced in the media, used the snap to deter the police from taking any action against him by showing his "proximity" with the Minister.
"When we pointed this out to Singh, he said he too has seen the photograph, but maintained he did not know who Chauhan was. We can understand it. But action must be taken against him," Reddy added.
