In open defiance of the Supreme Court order, a group of men in black robes which assaulted journalists on Monday, again attacked mediapersons and JNU student union leader Kanhaiya Kumar when he was being produced at the Patiala House Court.
Reacting to the events, the apex court rushed a team of lawyers with police protection to assess the ground situation in the court, hours after it had issued a series of directions to ensure peace in the court in the wake of Monday’s violence.
“We are concerned about the law and order situation,” a Supreme Court bench said when senior lawyer Indira Jaisingh informed the court about the fresh violence including the assault on Mr. Kumar when he was brought for remand proceedings.
Chanting slogans like “Vande Mataram” and waving the tricolour, men including Vikram Chauhan and some others who had allegedly attacked the journalists, teachers and students of JNU inside and outside the court two days back, on Wednesday came in a march to the court complex.
JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar arrives at the Patiala House Court complex. Video: ANI
They managed to enter the court complex despite heavy police presence and roughed up a few journalists, snatched their mobiles and deleted video footage. Police looked the other way, the journalists alleged.
One of the journalists, identified as Anwar of news channel CNN IBN, said despite heavy police deployment, clashes erupted in the court complex and the police presence did not deter the lawyers from shouting slogans and fighting with journalists and students.
Soon after the fresh assault, lawyers made a mention of the incidents before a Supreme Court bench which asked the counsel of Delhi Police to find out the situation at Patiala House Court and get back to it in 10 minutes.
The court also said it may appoint local commissioner to take stock of the situation.
The apex court asks counsel to tell Delhi Police Commissioner to take action against those indulging in violence irrespective of their profession.
The court was also informed by senior advocate Ms. Jaising that Mr. Kumar has been attacked in the court premises when he was brought for remand proceedings.
Mr. Kumar was later remanded to judicial custody till March 2.
Published - February 17, 2016 04:11 pm IST
