Delhi HC orders JNU students to surrender, doesn't grant protection

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday made it clear that Jawaharlal Nehru University students Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya, who have been accused of allegedly raising anti-national slogans, have to surrender and follow the due process of law.

The High Court will on Wednesday continue the hearing on the plea of the two accused, seeking security before they surrender in the court.

Read: JNU row: Police state 29 slogans, no mention of ‘Pakistan zindabad’

During the hearing, Umar Khalid's lawyer told the court that his client was willing to surrender at a time and location, but the Delhi Police objected to the place. The Delhi Police made strong objection against surrendering on undisclosed location and the time suggested by Umar's lawyer.

Kamini Jaiswal, appearing for Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya, sought protection from their arrest till tomorrow but the judge said, "I am simply re-notifying the matter for tomorrow. We are not disposing of the petition. Let it be heard tomorrow."

Read: Delhi High Court dismisses plea seeking arrest of 5 JNU students

Meanwhile, the High Court has also dismissed another plea filed by a lawyer seeking direction to the Delhi Police to enter the JNU campus and arrest the accused students. Earlier, two more students of the varsity - Rama Naga and Anant Prakash Narayan filed anticipatory bail plea in the Delhi High Court.

Delhi Police Commissioner B S Bassi, who has been under attack over thrashing by lawyers of media persons, students and teachers in Patiala House court premises when Kanhaiya's case came up, asserted that his force will not "shy away" from using its options if the five JNU students who have resurfaced in the campus after being in hiding for 10 days, fail to cooperate with the investigators.

"There is no doubt that seditious speeches and slogans were raised in the event concerned. We also know that some involved in it, who went absconding soon after, have now returned.

Read: Centre at war with students, says Arvind Kejriwal

"At this point, there is no imminent threat to life and property, for which we are working with patience. For every job we do, our tactics are dynamic," Bassi said.

He further said, "Today, we can afford to wait for them (the five students) to regain some 'sadbuddhi' (better sense) and cooperate with the police."

On February 12, the police arrested JNU Students Union president Kanhaiya Kumar in connection with the case and started a search operation for others.