Arvind Kejriwal orders magisterial probe

Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday ordered a magisterial probe into the alleged shouting of anti-India slogans by a group of students at JNU here, leading to the arrest of students union leader Kanhaiya Kumar.

The move comes after a delegation comprising CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury, CPI national secretary D. Raja, JD(U) MP K.C. Tyagi and other leaders met Mr Kejriwal, demanding a magisterial probe to establish the “authenticity” of evidence produced against Mr Kumar, who was arrested on sedition charge in connection with an event organised on the campus against the hanging of Afzal Guru.

Mr Kumar, JNUSU president, was arrested Friday, a move that invited criticism from the opposition parties.

“There are claims that JNU student leaders shouted anti-India slogans and counter claims that ABVP activists did it. To find truth, Delhi govt is directing DM to conduct an enquiry (sic),” the chief minister tweeted.

Earlier in the day, Mr Kejriwal targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he was using the Delhi police to “terrorise” everyone.

“Modiji wants to terrorise everyone by using the police,” Mr Kejriwal said.

In a tweet, he said, “No anti-national activity should be tolerated under any circumstances. Those who did it must be identified and punished” (sic).

The AAP also alleged that RSS’s student wing ABVP was involved in the “conspiracy”.

“The AAP condemns the way the Delhi police is using dictatorial measures to harass students and professors of the JNU. During the entire episode some facts have come to the light that ABVP is behind this conspiracy,” the party said.

Following the arrest of Mr Kumar, a delegation comprising Mr Yechury, Mr Raja and Mr Tyagi termed the on-going developments at the JNU as a “political conspiracy” by the Centre.