Almost a month after some journalists covering the JNU episode were attacked by a group of lawyers inside the Patiala House Courts, the police have so far gathered “concrete evidence” against only three advocates -- Yashpal Singh, Vikram Singh Chauhan and Om Sharma.
According to sources, still photographs and videos collected by the investigators have helped them identify six other lawyers, but their involvement is still suspect.
“During our probe, we sent notices to at least six other lawyers to join the probe. They were questioned about their involvement in the assault,” said a police source.
However, the evidence gathered against them so far is “not strong enough”, said the sources.
At this stage of the probe, the police said they had no reasons to make any further arrests. “Their faces are not clear in the video clips and photographs available with us,” said a source.
Investigators said they had taken down the statements of half-a-dozen journalists who had undergone medical examination after the assault on them at the court premises on February 15.
“They were unable to identify anyone apart from the three suspects already arrested by us,” said an officer.
The police claimed that apart from journalists, they have also recorded the statements of some lawyers and associates of JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar who were present at the spot.
“We even took down the statements of some policemen present there, but did not provide any breakthrough into the identities of the other assailants,” said the officer.
A journalist who was among those called for recording his statement around a fortnight ago said he was asked to provide any documentary or other evidence against the attackers.
“I told them whatever I could remember of the attack and the persons involved. The onus lies on the police to identify all the lawyers who beat us,” said the journalist.
The police said it was “too early” to commit on the deadline for filing a charge sheet in the case. “We are still in the process of gathering evidence. We have contacted all television journalists (present on the day of the incident) in the hope of getting any useful video clips,” said an officer.
“As per various statements, there were two to three dozen persons involved in the attack on journalists. Since we are certain that no less than 12-15 lawyers beat up the journalists, our aim is to gather evidence against at least half-a-dozen of them before we file the charge sheet,” the officer added.
For now, the police said they have enough evidence against Yashpal, Vikram and Om. “Based on certain footages and statements of some persons, we have sufficient evidence against these three suspects. They will certainly be chargesheeted,” said the officer.
The three were arrested one by one, days after the assault and subsequent outrage against alleged police “inaction”. Since all the sections they were booked under are bailable, they were let off within minutes of their arrests.
