High Court to hear pleas against Kanhaiya’s bail on March 23

The petitioner's counsel says the damage was "being multiplied" due to Mr. Kumar's speeches.

JNU Students' Union president Kanhaiya Kumar

The Delhi High Court on Thursday fixed the hearing on March 23 on a batch of >petitions seeking cancellation of six months’ interim bail granted to JNU Students’ Union president Kanhaiya Kumar . The petitioners have contended that Mr. Kumar is violating the bail conditions.

Justice Suresh Kait, before whom the case was listed after it was referred to the Chief Justice by another Bench, said he would hear arguments on the three petitions on March 23.

Though counsel R.P. Luthra, representing petitioner Prashant Kumar Umrao, sought to argue that there was an urgency in the matter, the judge refused to hear him and fixed March 23 for hearing the three pleas together.

Mr. Luthra said the damage was “being multiplied” due to Mr. Kumar's speeches and sought the hearing of the case on next Monday, while affirming that it was a sensitive and an urgent matter.

However, the Bench declined his request and observed that the police were taking care of the case.

Petitioners Mr. Umrao and Vineet Jindal have contended that Mr. Kumar’s activities and speeches subsequent to his release on interim bail on March 2 in a sedition case, registered in connection with a controversial event on the university campus, were reflecting his “anti-national” pursuit.

Mr. Umrao has moved another petition seeking initiation of perjury proceedings against the student leader, alleging that he had filed a false affidavit before the court while seeking the relief.