NEW DELHI: Lawyers supporting JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar today blamed police inaction for the violence in Patiala House Court in Supreme Court alleging that they remained 'mute spectator' when teachers, students and journalists were attacked and heckled by the mob.
Submissions were made before the bench comprising justices J Chelameswar and A M Sapre by senior advocates appearing in support of Kanhaiya in the petition seeking appropriate directions to Centre to ensure a proper conduct of the proceedings in Patiala House Court, regarding the JNU incident.
Senior advocate K T S Tulsi appearing for the petitioner N D Jayaprakash said on February 15, when the Kanhaiya Kumar was produced before the Court, violence took place inside the court room in which the accused and several media persons were injured and were branded as "anti-nationals".
He said that violence inside the court room is not accepted and sanctity of judicial proceedings has to be maintained.
"The police personnel present there remained mute spectator and cameras of media personnel were broken and they were heckled," he said.
The bench observed that in incidents like these, everyone blames police and if police acts, then they say excess has been committed.
"Please remember before coming to blame the police. Remember what had happened in Madras High Court (referring to clash between lawyers and police some years back). Blamegame is not going to help anybody. Moderation is needed in every section of the society. When police intervenes both sides blame it of excesses," the bench said.
Again when the issue of police inaction for the February 15 incident when teachers, students and scribes were thrashed by the lawyers was raised, the bench said "position of police is not very comfortable."
"Why I am saying so you have to remember. Remember about the incident that happened in the Madras High Court.
Today that very court is under protection of the CISF," Justice Chelameswar said.
Tulsi alleged that Commissioner of Police has termed the February 15, incident as a minor scuffle but in no way it can be termed as a minor incident as several persons were injured.
Advocate Prashant Bhushan who intervened in his own capacity and other lawyers also alleged that several people were injured and an MLA of a particular party has not been booked by the police as yet despite their being video footage.
He even raised that the police has not even dared to arrest the BJP MLA who was clearly visible on the camera assaulting people.
Bhushan said that proper justice needs to be done and police should look into all aspects to ensure fair probe into the incidents.
Senior advocate Adish C Aggarwala appearing for All India Lawyers Union said that the entire incident has been caught on CCTV cameras and action should be taken against those who were involved in the incident.
Senior advocate Ajit Sinha, representing Delhi Police, said that the February 15 incident was unfortunate and he had instructions in this regard to make before the court.
Sinha gave the details about the security arrangement which will comprise personnel of CRPF, six Delhi Police ACPs and SHOs of the particular police station.
He said each and every entry to the court complex is checked and action has been taken on the February 15 incident.